Do you ever do things you wished you hadn’t?
Like yell at your kid then find out they weren’t doing what you yelled at them about?
Or, talk bad about a friend who wronged you but then it turned out to be a total misunderstanding?
In other words…
You were completely…
absolutely…
wrong. 🤦♀️
We’ve all been there. At least I’m hoping I’m not the only one. So, how to do we deal with it?
How do you deal with being absolutely, positively wrong?
First, apologize. To your kid. To your friend. To your self. Because no one can beat yourself up like own self.
Then, we read Philippians 1:27…
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel
Philippians 1:27 NIV
https://philippians.bible/philippians-1-27
Okay. So after we hit ourselves in the forehead like one of my fave emojis —-> 🤦♀️
Now, let’s get past the initial headache and focus on what God has for us in this scripture.
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.
Be the person God created you to be, not the person society has made you. If you don’t know who this is — and a lot of us don’t — ask God. He will tell you. He created you. HE knows the plans He has for you. Plans of hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)
Now, being a joint heir in Christ, let’s ask ourselves…
What would Jesus do?
(Bustin’ out my WWJD bracelet, from…what year was that??? The 90s???)
Jesus did it so we can do it too. It says in God’s word that Jesus went through all of the same trials and tribulations that we do. He knows tiredness, hunger and anger yet He did not sin. Ever.
I know that’s a lot to live up to. But it is what we should strive for — to live as Christ. We can do this. Christ came to set the example.
Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel.
As a parent, the one thing that melts my heart and makes me wanna give myself a high-five is when my beautiful and not-so-well-behaved daughter does the right thing when she doesn’t think I’m looking.
How great it that?
When everything I’m attempting to do as a parent seems to be working even if only for a split second. *Insert me relaxing on the couch for a moment.*
Do you think God feels that for us to? After all of His teaching and instruction, the countless Bible studies, devotionals and Christian memes, do you think He leans back in His throne, hands behind His head and says, “By George! I think she’s got it!”?
When we “stand firm in one spirit” and do what Christ has taught us to do.
When we relax and no longer have to think about what the right thing to do is. We just do it.
THAT is what we strive for.
And, yes! There will be times when we yell at our kids, when words fly out of our mouths in traffic, and when we do something totally unbecoming to a son or daughter of the Most High God.
But, you know what?
He knows that!
And, He still forgives us every time.
Walk in His love and strive for your best. Don’t over think it. Because, the more you draw closer to Him, the easier it will all become.
Keep going.
