I LOVE this photo I captured in Africa. The elephants cross the river, at the same place, each time they travel. The sunset…priceless!
Relationships are like weather we had in Florida the last week of October 2017.
In my hometown, we went from the lowest temperatures being in the low 40s to 60s, to the highs ranging from the 60s to 80s. One night you would have a fire blazing in the firepit or fireplace, to wearing shorts and hydrating yourself throughout the day due to heat. I’m not complaining…I love Florida…yet I would appreciate some Fall weather to linger around for the month of November. (I can’t wait for next week…highs in the 70s, lows in the 50s…perfect!)
No matter the stage/temperature of a relationship you are in, there needs to be godly characteristics exhibit.
No matter the sort of relationship; family, friend, co-worker, or even complete strangers, you may be having an issue in, reveal godly characteristics. Seek God’s guidance.
I currently have three relationships in the forefront of my mind that I’m being specific in my prayer life about. God and I chat about the relationship and the other person. Yet…when He whispered to me, “Pray for YOUR attitude towards this person”, boy-oh-boy have I noticed a peace and a characteristic of grace being portrayed on my end.
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, grace has several meanings. Three of which are:
- a virtue coming from God
- a special favor
- a charming or attractive trait or characteristic
Richard Blackaby wrote a book titled, Putting a Face on Grace: Living a Life Worth Passing On. I highly recommend you reading it. While reading this book, several instances would come to mind helping me relate to what Blackaby was sharing at various times. He referenced two types of grace; Pseudo grace and Genuine grace. What’s the difference? Read this exert from his book:
Pseudo grace avoids dealing with sin and instead focuses on being “loving.” But showing genuine grace never involves condoning sin. Grace never compromises truth or righteousness. Jesus forgave the woman caught in adultery, but He also commanded her to “sin no more” (John 8:11). Jesus had lunch with the most notorious sinner in Jericho, but right after dessert, Zacchaeus was making amends for his sins by repaying fourfold all those he had wronged (Luke 19:1-10). Genuine grace always draws people towards Christ and His righteousness. Pseudo grace tolerates sin and muzzles those who would speak against it. A loving, graceful response to sin sometimes means caring enough to say the hard thing that may help people understand the consequences of their sin. (Proverbs 27:5-6)
I’m am trying to master genuine grace to others in my life. I know I sure need to be given grace by others, often. I must confess that pseudo grace may be the one being given in one of the relationships. It’s not even that this person is doing anything wrong. They just sometimes annoy me. (Am I alone here, by being annoyed by someone, and they are truly a fine person?) Ugh. That’s when I began praying for MY ATTITUDE.
God showered me with grace. He made my attitude joyful, tolerable towards others, and more loving.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
God saved me! He saved me by His grace. The “charming or attractive trait” isn’t anything we are born with. It is given by God. Grace is a gift from God.
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 1 Corinthians 15:10
Paul clearly understood that it wasn’t by his own doing that he became the man that he was…it was through the grace of God. And, that it wasn’t himself who did so much good for others for the sake of Christ…it was God’s grace within him.
Each believer has been saved by God’s grace, and each new Christian has that same grace within them.
Yes, the same power and grace that was in Christ is now in you and me, when we accept Christ as the Boss of our life.
“I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 1:19-20
We just need to access the power and grace that is within us.
Do you need to show some grace to someone today? I want to encourage you to pray. Pray for others, and especially pray for yourself and your attitude (like I had to do, and am still doing).
I pray that you will allow God’s grace to wash over you, and in return may it overflow onto those around you.
Display grace, and watch God’s abundant joy infiltrate your life.
Blessings to you and yours,
Stephanie