Say What??

Many people don't know who they are in Christ-they live hurting & broken Their perceptions are distorted about themselves & others. They see people & things thru PAIN-STAINED glasses. I'm familiar w/this life-The pain of brokenness- the isolation of rejection, the hurt that runs SO deep that your whole entire body aches.

BUT it's the healing balm called LOVE that brought me back to life. So I choose 2 LOVE- no matter what people say or do because I realize you only spew hurt when you hurt. You only react to pain afflicted when there’s an open wound.- If you pour salt on a closed wound it’s just salt on a wound... but if you pour it on an open wound... it burns!

This is a little deep, but it's what is on my mind. I choose to see people for who they can be and not on who they've been or even who they may be right now, and I choose to believe the best.. not the worst especially of those in the family of Christ. Not gonna allow my emotions and flesh to dictate how I treat you or what I speak from my lips about you. People have enough to deal w/ within themselves (battling low self esteem, hurts, rejection, loss of loved one's etc) so they don't need to be tore down.. they need LOVE and I realize that it's the immature and broken (who continue the cycle of hurt) by choosing to be un-loving and speaking death to and about people (thinking its a little thing or a harmless act) when in fact, it causes more damage then any physical pain you can inflict.  (The power of life & death is in the tongue) Proverbs 18:21

I’m being careful within myself but also taking inventory of what  I allow in my heart.   I can't allow my heart to be infected by negative.  I have a mandate to LOVE.

We can truly be under the impression that we’re loving and walking in love towards others but the Word of God paints a VERY clear picture of love and what that is supposed to look like.  1 Corinthians 13 (Message Bible)

   Love never gives up. 

   Love cares more for others than for self. 

   Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. 

   Love doesn't strut, Doesn't have a swelled head, 

   Doesn't force itself on others, 

   Isn't always "me first," 

   Doesn't fly off the handle, 

   Doesn't keep score of the sins of others, 

   Doesn't revel when others grovel, 

   Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, 

   Puts up with anything, 

   Trusts God always, 

   Always looks for the best, 

   Never looks back, 

   But keeps going to the end.

   Love never dies.

I’ve heard people say and even been guilty of saying “I Love them” BUT I’m going to be smart and guard my heart, or protect myself .. When Did Jesus ever consider himself (feelings, emotions or heart) above others?  Not ONCE.  (He counted himself as nothing for the cause of saving US!) I mean really... who have I counted above myself.. who have I DIED to selfishness, pettiness, anger, bitterness, offense or anything else like that to save?   (And to die to these things PAILS in comparison to the ultimate sacrifice Christ made for us... HIS LIFE)  So to say that “ I love them BUT.... is a total Cop-out and Flesh made justification to be little less like Jesus!

I’m just reminding myself that at the beginning of 2011 I wrote a blog and I spoke from my lips that my only  “resolution” was to LOVE more... So I should count it not strange that I’ve been placed in situations where I’m misunderstood, lied on, gossiped about and I have a choice... to retaliate and snap.... or LOVE.

So... Once again. I’ve failed..but I’m thankful for grace and the chance to get it right. to Love authentically! 

Alisa