What is the biggest problem in your life?

This morning I asked the Lord to show me a specific lesson as I read Scripture. I didn't have an impression of anything specific when I finished my devotional time. However, I know that during the day the Lord has ways to show me practical lessons. Some times I listen to the radio while I get ready for work. Today Chuck Swindoll 's last comments on his radio Bible study caught my attention. His remarks were not new to me but I took them as a fresh lesson to remind me of how loving relational attitudes start.

Chuck put it simply " What I've learned is that the biggest problem in life is me". The implication - loving relational attitudes (right living) start with right beliefs- If I truly believe that the problem is not my difficult spouse, relatives, friends, neighbour, boss, co-worker, pastor, church people... then with God's grace, I would see these people through God's lenses of truth, mercy, grace, compassion, patience... I would think of them more realistically and relate to them more graciously.

When I am conscious of my unloving thoughts, words or attitudes I cry out, Lord have mercy on me! Other times, I repeat Philippians 2:5-7 "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ, who being in very nature God... he made himself nothing...

Seeing ourselves and people through God's lenses is not easy but possible with His grace. It is about choosing a life of love and truth, it is about learning new habits. We become our habits. Chuck must have been referring to Scripture in the book of James. He spoke about the destructive power of the tongue.

Seeing ourselves and others with clarity (right beliefs) is essential if we want to speak and relate in a truthful, gracious, compassionate, patient, forgiving manner toward those easy to live with and toward those not easy to live with.

Do you believe that others are a problem, not you? The Lord can adjust your (my) lenses. The life, light, and power of God's Word change us from the inside out!

...He enlightens the eyes of our hearts and His mighty strength is at work in us who believe... (Eph. 1:19-20).

Are you letting Jesus affect your character?

...Train yourself to be godly...physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come (1 Timothy 4:7-8).

Letting the Lord affect our character involves His grace and our serious decision to replace old habits with new ones. Godly habits help us enjoy Jesus. They also make us fruitful in our daily activities and relationships.

Here are some habits that I am asking the Lord to help me practice (asking Him to increase our desire for Him and His ways is the key).

• Meditate on Scripture daily. Have ongoing conversations with Jesus to affect my thought life, emotions, desires, and behaviors.

Romans 12:1-2. Psalm 1. Psalm 16:11

• Put specific Scriptures to work on daily life situations and circumstances.

1 John 1:9. Matthew 6:25-33. James 1:22-25

• See God in every detail of my life. He is always behind the scenes and has my best interest at heart. My mental sanity is based on my level of trust and rest in His sovereignty and goodness.

Psalm 139. Philippians 4:4-9. Proverbs 3:5-8

• Thank, praise, and worship Jesus. Human soul seeks an object of worship. If we don't worship the Lord. We will worship something or someone. We create idols easily.

Psalm 145. Matthew 22:37-39

• Walk as a beloved child. My status (self-esteem) is defined by what God is, says, has done, is doing for me and in me through His Spirit and His grace.

Isaiah 49:15-16. Philippians 1:6.

• Be kind to those who are unkind to me. Respond, don't react to people and life situations. We are affected not by what happens to us but by the way we interpret situations and circumstances, then by how we respond to it. Practice forgiveness, humility, compassion, patience, self-control...

Ephesians 4:31-32. Galatians 5:22-25

• See others not as they are but as the Lord sees them. Jesus sees you and me as the people that we can become by His grace and mercy. Influence people by consistently praying for them.

Share habits the Lord is helping you practice, write to mayagraves@yahoo.com.