Advice #63
ADVICE DAD NEVER GAVE YOU
Ralph Sorter
Ever been in a situation where you feel trapped, frustrated, and it seems hopeless? It’s time to pray.
“Word of God speak. I need to hear from You. I need to hear the words that will turn this hurting, cold heart around. I need a measure of Your grace to give me the patience needed to deal with this difficult person. I want to be Jesus to them, so Lord, come and erase the confusion in my mind and help me to think Your thoughts about them. Grant me Your eyes with which to see their own frustration, and to see them as You see them.”
Prayer has a way of unburdening our heart like none other. Our cares are carried to the throne room by the wings of the Holy Spirit, and He in turn puts the blanket of the Father’s peace on our shoulders. In prayer the mask comes off and we are laid bare before the Lord.
Following the prayer is the need to listen. You can’t pray, “Your will be done” and then turn around and stubbornly do what you want to do anyway. You have to lay your will aside and seek His Word and His Spirit to respond as He wants you to.
If your are sincere in this prayer and you listen to the still, small voice, be ready for some adjustments to your attitude…be ready for a change in your heart. God wants us to be agents of reconciliation, but you can’t shake hands with a clenched fist. But an outward stance must be matched with an inward desire to be Jesus to them.
Just in case you were wondering how that all plays out, look at the last few chapters of the Gospels in the scenes that reveal how He treated His enemies as they lied, tried Him and crucified Him for claiming to be the Son of God. If you want to know how this plays out with someone who is outright sinning, look at the story of the woman caught in adultery. If you are wondering how much grace to apply to others, look at your own story with God.
A Message from HOPE’S
Marriage & Family Ministry
ADVICE DAD NEVER GAVE YOU
Ralph Sorter
Ever been in a situation where you feel trapped, frustrated, and it seems hopeless? It’s time to pray.
“Word of God speak. I need to hear from You. I need to hear the words that will turn this hurting, cold heart around. I need a measure of Your grace to give me the patience needed to deal with this difficult person. I want to be Jesus to them, so Lord, come and erase the confusion in my mind and help me to think Your thoughts about them. Grant me Your eyes with which to see their own frustration, and to see them as You see them.”
Prayer has a way of unburdening our heart like none other. Our cares are carried to the throne room by the wings of the Holy Spirit, and He in turn puts the blanket of the Father’s peace on our shoulders. In prayer the mask comes off and we are laid bare before the Lord.
Following the prayer is the need to listen. You can’t pray, “Your will be done” and then turn around and stubbornly do what you want to do anyway. You have to lay your will aside and seek His Word and His Spirit to respond as He wants you to.
If your are sincere in this prayer and you listen to the still, small voice, be ready for some adjustments to your attitude…be ready for a change in your heart. God wants us to be agents of reconciliation, but you can’t shake hands with a clenched fist. But an outward stance must be matched with an inward desire to be Jesus to them.
Just in case you were wondering how that all plays out, look at the last few chapters of the Gospels in the scenes that reveal how He treated His enemies as they lied, tried Him and crucified Him for claiming to be the Son of God. If you want to know how this plays out with someone who is outright sinning, look at the story of the woman caught in adultery. If you are wondering how much grace to apply to others, look at your own story with God.
A Message from HOPE’S
Marriage & Family Ministry
ADVICE DAD NEVER GAVE YOU
Ralph Sorter
Ever been in a situation where you feel trapped, frustrated, and it seems hopeless? It’s time to pray.
“Word of God speak. I need to hear from You. I need to hear the words that will turn this hurting, cold heart around. I need a measure of Your grace to give me the patience needed to deal with this difficult person. I want to be Jesus to them, so Lord, come and erase the confusion in my mind and help me to think Your thoughts about them. Grant me Your eyes with which to see their own frustration, and to see them as You see them.”
Prayer has a way of unburdening our heart like none other. Our cares are carried to the throne room by the wings of the Holy Spirit, and He in turn puts the blanket of the Father’s peace on our shoulders. In prayer the mask comes off and we are laid bare before the Lord.
Following the prayer is the need to listen. You can’t pray, “Your will be done” and then turn around and stubbornly do what you want to do anyway. You have to lay your will aside and seek His Word and His Spirit to respond as He wants you to.
If your are sincere in this prayer and you listen to the still, small voice, be ready for some adjustments to your attitude…be ready for a change in your heart. God wants us to be agents of reconciliation, but you can’t shake hands with a clenched fist. But an outward stance must be matched with an inward desire to be Jesus to them.
Just in case you were wondering how that all plays out, look at the last few chapters of the Gospels in the scenes that reveal how He treated His enemies as they lied, tried Him and crucified Him for claiming to be the Son of God. If you want to know how this plays out with someone who is outright sinning, look at the story of the woman caught in adultery. If you are wondering how much grace to apply to others, look at your own story with God.
A Message from HOPE’S
Marriage & Family Ministry