by
Joyce Meyer
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We are never truly free until we feel no need to impress anyone. If and when we reach that point, then we can rest internally and live without concern about what people think of us. We know that what they think is between them and God, and that what they think cannot hurt us. It is what we think of ourselves that really matters.
Like many people, I was insecure for years, but as I received God’s unconditional love and acceptance, I found security in Christ. The better we feel about ourselves, the less we feel the need to argue over opinions and fight to be right, and we can find a way to disagree agreeably if the other person is willing to do so. Some people won’t be at peace no matter what we do, but we can all be peaceful in and through Jesus.
I want to say again: The best way not to remember the evil that has been done to you is to forget it as quickly as possible. Don’t keep a mental list and keep reminding yourself of the things that have been done to you, or you will never get over them. God forgives and forgets our sins, which is what we should do in our dealings with one another. Another helpful strategy is to believe the best, instead of the worst, about people in every situation.
It is difficult to keep showing love to someone who never seems to appreciate it, but we are not responsible for how others act; we are only responsible for our own actions. Make the decision to do what is right no matter what anyone else does, and you will be a happy person. Don’t fail to walk in love, because love never fails.
If you don’t like yourself, then you are miserable, because you never get away from yourself. Everywhere you go, you are there. To love yourself simply means that you have accepted God’s love for you. I am not suggesting that we be in love with ourselves, be selfish, and think only of ourselves, but we do need to have a healthy attitude toward ourselves and appreciate what God did when He created us.
When someone does something you don’t like and you immediately start thinking about all the qualities you don’t like about that person or to the ways they irritate you, change your thoughts and believe the best of them, as love would have you do. We never know what people may be going through to make them do what they do. Pray for them immediately. It is difficult to stay angry with someone you are praying for.
One of my peace stealers is rushing. I have to make an effort to leave enough time to do what I need to do without getting into a hurry. In addition, I’ve always been a hard worker, so lazy people annoy me, and I have to remember that we are not all alike. I’m aggressive, so passive people frustrate me. I want them to make a decision and do what they need to do without making excuses about why they aren’t doing it, but once again I need to remember that we are not all alike. I have just as many faults as anyone else, just in different areas. Most of us tend to judge people who are not strong where we are strong, but God tells us in His Word not to judge others so that we will not be judged (Matthew 7:1). Romans 2:1 tells us that we do the same things we judge in others. We see their faults, and of course we assume there is no excuse for their behavior, but we are quick to make excuses for ourselves.
If you are trying to collect on past pain and injustice, please turn all your injustice over to God ask Him to be your vindicator. He will give you double blessings for your former trouble, and He is the only one who can do it.
typo here lol
I did this with Dave for years. I already felt so bad about myself that if he tried to correct me about anything, I deflected it by finding some fault with him. When you are in a relationship with someone who is hard to love because they are often angry, you should remember that their anger probably comes from the way they feel about themself. Realizing this will help you know how to pray accurately for them. It is easier to deal with difficult situations if you understand them.
I recently spent about thirty minutes with someone who is dealing with a divorce and some health issues. During the time we were together, he said at least four times, “I know I should” or “I know I shouldn’t,” and then he would tell me that he wasn’t doing it. To know what is right to do and not do it is sin (James 4:17). The best course of action this man could take is to repent for his past disobedience and make a quality decision to begin following the guidance of the Holy Spirit and obey what God is leading him to do.
yeah sorta agree honestly
There is no hope of loving people who are hard to love—in fact, no hope of loving anyone at all—unless we are willing to forgive and let go of their offenses. No one on this earth can have a relationship and never disappoint, hurt, or offend another. If you are hoping for this type of relationship, you will be looking for it all your life and not find it. Simply put, people are not perfect. If we were, we wouldn’t need Jesus. He forgives us countless times, possibly every day, and we should appreciate what He does for us enough to do the same for other people. It is interesting that we want and even expect God to do for us what we are not willing to do for others.
In actuality, when we forgive people, we are doing ourselves—not the other person—a favor. So, do yourself a favor and forgive. Let go of offenses and the pain that accompanies them instead of carrying heavy burdens of unforgiveness that make you miserable. [...]