Managing Your Emotions

[Julie]

DAY 58

Speak Well of Others

Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.
James 4:11

People who feel insecure often judge and criticize others in order to feel better about themselves. In Matthew 7:1–2, Jesus warns us against judging others: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

The temptation to judge others is common. It’s easier to find things to criticize about other people than things to affirm them. Some people immediately spot the one negative thing about a situation, no matter how many positive aspects there are. This is typical of human nature but not in agreement with God’s Word. So when we are tempted to judge, we need to resist the devil and ask the Holy Spirit to help us stand against temptation and obey the Word.

In addition to what we read about judgment in today’s scripture and in Matthew 7:1–2, the apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 14:10–13 that all of us will one day stand before God’s judgment seat: “Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister” (v. 13, italics mine).

Instead of judging other people, let’s choose not to do anything that might cause them to stumble or pose a problem for them as they go through life. Let’s help them or teach them by being a good example instead of criticizing them.


Prayer: Help me, Lord, to affirm others and do good to them instead of judging them.


Joyce Meyer, Managing Your Emotions: Daily Wisdom for Remaining Stable in an Unstable World, a 90 Day Devotional

 

[praise_yeshua]

DAY 58

Speak Well of Others

Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.
James 4:11

People who feel insecure often judge and criticize others in order to feel better about themselves. In Matthew 7:1–2, Jesus warns us against judging others: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

The temptation to judge others is common. It’s easier to find things to criticize about other people than things to affirm them. Some people immediately spot the one negative thing about a situation, no matter how many positive aspects there are. This is typical of human nature but not in agreement with God’s Word. So when we are tempted to judge, we need to resist the devil and ask the Holy Spirit to help us stand against temptation and obey the Word.

In addition to what we read about judgment in today’s scripture and in Matthew 7:1–2, the apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 14:10–13 that all of us will one day stand before God’s judgment seat: “Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister” (v. 13, italics mine).

Instead of judging other people, let’s choose not to do anything that might cause them to stumble or pose a problem for them as they go through life. Let’s help them or teach them by being a good example instead of criticizing them.


Prayer: Help me, Lord, to affirm others and do good to them instead of judging them.


Joyce Meyer, Managing Your Emotions: Daily Wisdom for Remaining Stable in an Unstable World, a 90 Day Devotional

There was once was a prescription for dealing with disagreements among the body of Christ....

1Co 6:2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
1Co 6:3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

The smallest things can be settled among the "Church". Most people hide from the body of believers. I first referenced these verses to a pastor about a disputex doctrine when I very young man. I was told by that same elder that he couldn't allow it because it would "break up the church".

Same thing happens all the time. People hide from disputes instead of dealing with them. If they were dealt with, they would go away.....

The church was established to judge believers. Now.... all we have are the disputes of "local churches" that are divided all claiming authority they don't have....

I tell you what would be wonderful....

A business CEO, COO, CFO, CIO, and OWNERS would actually consult the "Church" before making decisions that affect others they don't care about......

Maybe a "pastor" consulting the "church" before hiding behind their "appointed board members" called the "deacons" doing anything....

That might be prudent choices to make.

Everyone is hiding from making judgements that need to be made.... Waiting to we face God will be entirely too late.

1Co 6:2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
1Co 6:3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

 

[Julie]

DAY 59

Remember God’s Faithfulness

You are my refuge and my shield;
I have put my hope in your word.
Psalm 119:114


Fear and anxiety can come against us for a variety of reasons, and sometimes we must fight hard to break free from them. The best way to do this is to seek help in God’s Word. It has all the power we need and all the answers we seek.

More than thirty years ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was shocked because I had gone to the doctor for my regular checkup, which included a mammogram, and expected everything to be fine. When it wasn’t, I became anxious and fearful.
One way God led me through this season was to impress upon my heart the need to stay positive and to make only positive comments based on His Word, such as “God loves me,” “All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose,” “God is good,” and “God, I trust You!”

I did this for about ten days before the surgery, and they were ten challenging days. Fear and worry would come, and I would purposefully call to mind that God had promised to take care of me. I would then declare the positive statements God had placed on my heart, and I could literally feel my emotions calming down.

In the end, the surgery was successful, and I’ve had clear mammograms ever since.
If you are struggling with fear today, look to God’s Word and find peace. His Word has the power to bring peace to anxious emotions and to strengthen you in any situation.


Prayer: When I am anxious and afraid, Lord, strengthen me and give me peace through Your Word.


Joyce Meyer, Managing Your Emotions: Daily Wisdom for Remaining Stable in an Unstable World, a 90 Day Devotional