Relationships through Righteousness
By Pastor Tachunda Burks
I have heard the phrase time and time again“ relationships are hard work!” No doubt, this statement may be true for some; however, for true worshippers the statement can be rephrased as“ relationships takes patience, kindness, gentleness, self-control, meekness...” all of the attributes of love as expressed in I Corinthians 13 that derive from the fruit of the Spirit. Consider this, when you are easily irritated by someone, especially your significant other, regardless of what they have done, you have simply stepped out of your path of love and into selfishness and impatience. Your focus is upon YOU opposed to serving / service. As believers, we have made the choice to take up our cross and live according to the example displayed by Jesus Christ our Messiah. In other words, we pray for those who despitefully use us … those who intentionally and unintentionally hurt us, etc. We respond in love always: the soft answer. Yes, I agree that this takes quite a bit of self-control, a key fruit of the Spirit. It is possible to do though. Simply remind yourself that you are not in control of anyone’ s actions nor are you responsible or the cause for anyone’ s actions other than your own. You are here to serve others … help others see a better way encourage, edify; you get the picture. Try this, at any point of irritation, ask the Holy Spirit to help you to bear the fruit of the Spirit in every matter regarding relationships. I say this because we are to renew our minds daily by the washing of the Word to become transformed to a righteous perspective of things. In other words, we don’ t react as we usually would. We cast our cares on the Father( tell Him all about how mad we are and how they were so wrong … yada yada yada … lol). Then, we leave the issue with Him and make the conscious choice to let it go from our hearts … or anger and bitterness will set in. So, you ask what about someone who hurt me really bad? Cast your care upon the Father … love covers that. Well, what about someone who murdered my child / loved one? Forgive us as we forgive others … love covers that. What about the boss who purposely degrades me? Let go and let God … love covers, love bears, love endures: love never fails.