..I wrote this about 2 weeks ago and have been chewing on it for a while (gathering my thoughts) and now I feel like this is ready to be posted....
People are like flowers, they might look alike on the outside but, each one has its own beauty on the inside.
We say things that we don't mean.
We commit to things that we don't want to.
We lie to avoid hurting someone's feelings.
We stay shut when we need to speak up.
We lie to avoid hurting someone's feelings.
We stay shut when we need to speak up.
(Is it just me that has struggled with this, ever?)
I'm being real here. I need peace too.
But I've gotten better at it. I realized that it starts with setting boundaries for yourself.
Dig deep to find out what it is that you really want from relationships/friendships.
What are you willing to put up with, stick through and be influenced by?
Be honest with yourself. Not every relationship can be or will be the same.
Be honest with yourself. Not every relationship can be or will be the same.
Does this make sense to anyone out there?
So back to my initial thought.
I've learned that you cannot expect too much from people because we all have the ability to let down, hurt others, and frankly, if we are being honest, we put way too much pressure on our relationships when we expect perfection.
So here is my solution, take it or leave it...
Love hard and love unconditionally.
Do things for people that they wouldn't do for you.
Expect nothing in return (but really).
Expect nothing in return (but really).
Believe the best about people.
Forgive quickly.
Choose gratefulness.
Show grace.
After all, a "problem" could really be just a misunderstanding, a fluke, an accident.
Give grace.
Get grace.
After all, a "problem" could really be just a misunderstanding, a fluke, an accident.
Give grace.
Get grace.
Because when it comes down to it, every relationship in our lives will hurt us, disappoint us, let us down and possibly even end.
But where does that leave us? Shaking our head in disbelief? Tisking the person while saying, "Well, I would never....."? Don't do that to yourself.
But where does that leave us? Shaking our head in disbelief? Tisking the person while saying, "Well, I would never....."? Don't do that to yourself.
That just leaves us upset and bitter.
Don't look for a reason to be mad.
And don't do to others what they would do or have done to you.
I'm reminded of 1 Peter 3:9 "Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it."
Don't look for a reason to be mad.
And don't do to others what they would do or have done to you.
I'm reminded of 1 Peter 3:9 "Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it."
As I like to say, "Don't sling mud!" When someone mistreats you don't retaliate, instead step back, think and respond wisely.
When we choose love, grace, optimism....etc. We release ourselves of the pressure and pain of disappointment.
When we choose love, grace, optimism....etc. We release ourselves of the pressure and pain of disappointment.
Choose to see the person for what they are.....a human made of flesh & blood with the same ability to disappoint as you have.
I read once, "expect anything from anyone....even the devil was once an angel"
It's true, we are created beings, we will never master perfection.
So choose love. After all, the reason why we react instead of respond to a situation is out of pride or out of fear, fear of rejection, fear of being mistreated, fear of being taken advantage of, fear of not having the upper hand, etc. When we respond in love, that changes the game.
So choose love. After all, the reason why we react instead of respond to a situation is out of pride or out of fear, fear of rejection, fear of being mistreated, fear of being taken advantage of, fear of not having the upper hand, etc. When we respond in love, that changes the game.
Even the Bible says that perfect love casts out all fear....so love HARD!
Are you catching my drift?
Are you catching my drift?
Trust me, your life will be a whole lot happier and a lot less stressful.
[Quick testimony] I am writing about this because I have struggled with this for SO LONG. I was sick of feeling the pain of disappointment. I have been used, burned, lied to and left feeling empty in relationships/friendships in my own life, but guess what, I've done it to others too. So one day I sat and prayed and truly evaluated my feelings/expectations and that was when I cried out to God to forgive me for my terrible attitude and for feeling like I was "owed" an apology or something. I promised Him that I would love others regardless of what they had done. I started praying for them in areas of their needs and I began to thank God for healing my heart and restoring relationships in my life (fake it 'til you make it, right?) Haha!
But GUESS WHAT....it happened, one day I felt as if something had literally broken off of me. I was released of pain, guilt, hurts and ill feelings. I felt a peace that I can't even put into words. Prayer really works and if you will listen to God as He guides you through the healing process, you will come out better than if those relationships had fixed themselves...it's a miracle.
What will you choose?
What will be your legacy?
What would you like to have said about you once you leave this world?
Love like there is no tomorrow and today is all you'll ever have.
That's what Jesus did.....that's what we ought to do.
Praying the best for you all & that you could experience God's peace in every area of your life!
Hold on....your healing will come.
Push through....you'll make it too.
[Quick testimony] I am writing about this because I have struggled with this for SO LONG. I was sick of feeling the pain of disappointment. I have been used, burned, lied to and left feeling empty in relationships/friendships in my own life, but guess what, I've done it to others too. So one day I sat and prayed and truly evaluated my feelings/expectations and that was when I cried out to God to forgive me for my terrible attitude and for feeling like I was "owed" an apology or something. I promised Him that I would love others regardless of what they had done. I started praying for them in areas of their needs and I began to thank God for healing my heart and restoring relationships in my life (fake it 'til you make it, right?) Haha!
But GUESS WHAT....it happened, one day I felt as if something had literally broken off of me. I was released of pain, guilt, hurts and ill feelings. I felt a peace that I can't even put into words. Prayer really works and if you will listen to God as He guides you through the healing process, you will come out better than if those relationships had fixed themselves...it's a miracle.
What will you choose?
What will be your legacy?
What would you like to have said about you once you leave this world?
Love like there is no tomorrow and today is all you'll ever have.
That's what Jesus did.....that's what we ought to do.
Praying the best for you all & that you could experience God's peace in every area of your life!
Hold on....your healing will come.
Push through....you'll make it too.
Love hard....you never know who's watching you.
Be an example in all you do.
Philippians 4:7-8 "Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."
xoxo.....Be Blessed....xoxo
Philippians 4:7-8 "Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."
xoxo.....Be Blessed....xoxo
