Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 28 May 2008

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 28 May 2008

Being a brother’s keeper: Are you being a strain, a pain, a drain? Psalm 80:7 Restore us, O God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved. As I mentioned yesterday, I am excited for this new series. I believe God is at work right now in each and every one of our lives. God is right now going to restore friendships, restore families, and restore relationships. But in order for restoration to take place, we ourselves must DESIRE change, accept differences, and be willing to humble ourselves. Today’s word of encouragement is examining and asking yourself are you being a strain, a pain, and a drain on people? It is simple. No one likes to be around people who are constantly a strain and a pain, because they are draining. I believe that God is at work right now in our lives because he wants to restore and bring healing of relationships. How do you know if you are a strain and a pain, causing drain? Selfishness, self-centeredness, insecurity, constant emotional imbalance and always wanting attention. Just writing these words makes we realize how negative it is. But to be honest with you, on a daily basis we must be aware of these things in our lives, because if we aren’t we will become a strain, a pain, and a drain on other people. I highly recommend asking your close friends how they find you, and what areas to work on. How do we handle friends, family members, and relationships with people who are a strain, a pain, causing drain? I offer the best answer to this question: WWJD (WHAT WOULD JESUS DO). Our Lord Jesus Christ is our example. If we have friends, relatives, loved ones who are a drain on us, no matter what we cannot give up on them. Jesus never gave up on us, so why should we? I have a great verse that paints this picture very well. The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (Matthew 18:21-35) 21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" 22Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. 23 "Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. 26 "The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' 27 The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. 28 "But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded. 29 "His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.' 30"But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. 32"Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' 34In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. 35"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart." © May 2008 Shaun Lee. www.everynation.org.sg archive: www.shauntzen.blogspot.com