Dear Friends, 10-22 LOWERING YOUR STRESS LEVEL, OR NOT FRETTING!
Often times we spend too much time fretting over the sins of others. Sometimes it is because they have offended us but just as frequently we are busybodies minding God’s business. It is God’s problem not ours.
1Th 4:11 And that ye study to be
quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;When we are busy telling others how they should live their lives, we find ourselves targets of animosity, being showered with hostility. The Holy Spirit is the one who should remind others of their sin. How often are we spiritual enough to do His job?
Ga 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault,
ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.How are we tempted? We are tempted to judge, and only God has all the facts. We are tempted to get outraged that someone can get away with something. We are tempted to be holier than thou, looking down our noses at the offender. We are tempted to be angry. We are tempted to gossip about the person, wanting others to agree with us as to how bad that person is. We are tempted to think evil of that person, imputing evil motives to them that may not be there. Only God has knowledge of what’s in their heart.
But the worst part is the effect that fretting has on our own lives and attitudes. We can lose our relationship with God until we repent of it. We become miserable and irritable and mean. It eats us up inside.
Heb 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any
root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;We find that we have bad feelings toward that person and we begin to find fault, looking at every little thing that they do. We build a case against them and find ourselves obsessed with the unfairness that we perceive. And who does it hurt most? Us! We can keep it in and not say anything until it builds to explosiveness. Or we can become mean with our mouth complaining and breaking off any relationship with that person. Then to God we are the offender not forgiving as we are commanded. We also break our relationship with God. This gets us into real trouble. We are outside of God’s protection. We are target for the devil who just loves us to be that way.
Next we find ourselves having headaches, high blood pressure, stomach problems and many other diseases caused by the stress of hostile feelings. We also do not think of ourselves as being the sinner. So we forget to confess and repent. But when we do:
1Jo 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.This puts us back on the right path, the path of righteousness. It’s that simple. God says this:
Ro 2:1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the
same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:Remember the guy who was forgiven a huge debt and went out and choked his servant who owed a small debt. This is what God says about that.
Mt 18:34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him
to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him:35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.Mr 11:26 But
if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.And when you do forgive YOU have the peace in your heart.