The Gentle Voice of Correction
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you felt wronged and reacted impulsively, only to later regret your actions? I recently experienced such an incident, and it taught me a valuable lesson about the importance of self-control and trusting God to plead our cause.
I had been allocated a poor apartment by the lady in charge, and to make matters worse, she was rude and reluctant to change it. In front of several people, I made a big deal out of the issue, expecting fairer treatment. Although we eventually settled the matter, I couldn’t shake off the feeling that I had overreacted.
As I lay awake in the cool warmth of the afternoon breeze, a gentle voice spoke within me. “What happened earlier today wasn’t entirely your fault, but you should have let it go.” The voice was tender, corrective, and not condemning – it was the voice of the Holy Spirit.
A Lesson in Self-Control
The Holy Spirit reminded me that as a child of God, I am a light in this world. Many times, I may be right, but because of Him, I should allow things to flow. A little action taken on impulse can disorient souls who may be watching, and hinder them from being saved.
This experience taught me the importance of trusting God to plead my cause, even when it hurts. As 1 Peter 2:23 reminds us, Jesus Christ, when reviled, did not revile again. Instead, He committed Himself to God, who judges righteously.
Shining Our Light
As followers of Jesus, we are called to live as He lived. We are the light that brightens the dark areas of this world. In every facet of our lives, we should let our light shine, so that others may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).
As we begin this new year, what attitudes is God impressing upon your heart to drop off, so that you can enjoy His fullness? Is it the need to control every situation, or the tendency to react impulsively? Whatever it may be, let us learn to trust God and allow His gentle voice to guide us.
Reflecting on Our Actions
Let us take a moment to reflect on our actions and reactions. Are we allowing God to plead our cause, or are we taking matters into our own hands? May we learn to trust Him and shine our light, so that others may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven.
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