Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – November 2, 2016
A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart. Luke 6:45, NLT
When stress begins to drizzle down and dampen my soul, or anger bubbles up in my heart—I am almost certain to be in a mode where I am focused on a person or circumstance that is out of my control. Why would I try to harness another person’s heart and seek to change them, anymore than I could attempt to guide the weather into conditions pleasing to my desires? It’s my heart that I’m expected to monitor and make better under the influence of God’s grace and love. If I let go of controlling the uncontrollable—I can work on the stubbornness of my own wandering heart.
Jesus describes our heart as a treasury of good and evil, a repository of abundance for good or bad. For example, a healthy government treasury is full of resources necessary to invest in opportunities and to step in during times of crisis and calamity. So it is with a healthy heart. Instead of being jealous of another’s success or angered by pride—we can store up in our hearts: humility, forgiveness, acceptance and love. In collaboration with Christ, we daily invest into His righteous treasures and over time the compounding interest of gracious words flow from our heart.
“The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life” (John 6:63).
Has not getting your way caused you to lose your way? What started out as feeling slighted has grown into a combative posture of full blown rejection. Maybe at work you have run into a rough spot and there needs to be clarity around your expectations and your supervisor’s expectations. Because of the warp speed pace of your work, your boss may have assumed they clearly communicated their changes to you—but they didn’t. Big decisions require all involved to slow down and understand each other. Respectful, candid conversations invite the team’s influence.
Once you’ve given your input, the results are in the Lord’s hands and with those in a position of authority over you. Trust. Believe the best and rest in Christ’s control. If the direction of your company grows contrary to your convictions, perhaps they are doing you a favor—by giving you an open door to do something different. Better to move on and not be tempted to be disloyal. Or, by waiting out the uncertainty at work—a new day may arrive where you are rewarded for your patience. Most of all, deposit into the treasury of your heart, good things, so your words give life.
“The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit” (Proverbs 15:4).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, give me favor to share my feelings and give me patient faith when I don’t get my way.Application
With whom do I need to graciously share concerns? What outcomes require my total trust?Related Reading
Psalm 16:8; Nahum 1:7; Romans 8:28; 2 Corinthians 3:6Post/Tweet today
When I let go of controlling the uncontrollable—I can work on the stubbornness of my own wandering heart. #WisdomHunters #controlWorship Resource
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