Someone says something mean, and we are rude to the next person we see.
Someone cuts us off, and we cut off the next person.
Someone says something nice, and we selfishly think more of ourselves than we ought (Romans 12:3).
Someone invites us over for dinner, and we think we must be extra special.
Revenge and selfishness are natural; grace and selflessness are supernatural.
"Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord." ~ Romans 12:19
"In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to given than to receive.'" ~ Acts 20:35
So, what if we reverse this ugly trend by passing along the good and letting the bad stop with us.
Someone says something mean, and we say something nice to the next person we see.
Someone cuts us off, and we give up our position to the next person.
Someone says something nice, and we compliment the next ten people we encounter.
Someone invited us over to dinner, and we invite someone else over for dinner.
"And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" ~ Matthew 22:39
If you see something you really want, how about buying it for someone else.
If you want to receive a letter, how about writing a letter.
It's really not hard for us to recognize what we want. So, the next time you think, "I want that." Pause and ponder who you may be able to give "that."
Warning: You may not receive the same thing in return, but you will discover greater, long-term joy in sacrifice than in indulgence, which provides temporary pleasure.
"He (Moses) chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward." ~ Hebrews 11:25-26
What do you want?
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