ShakenLives

“When Our Lives Are Shaken”

January 21, 2004

Today is December 22, 2003 and what the Lord laid on my heart about our emotions is pretty true. At 11:20 a.m. in Central California there was an earthquake which measured 6.5 and for a split second it went through my mind, how do I react when my own ground under me is shaken?
When I first heard the news on T.V. my thoughts were taken to the reality of how fast our lives can be taken. My heart was sad when I heard of the precious lives that were lost today. Of course I reacted with anxiety because the news didn’t define the details clearly. Then I experienced sadness for those who experienced the loss of life and property.

What about emotions and how we experience them? First, emotions are God given just like our free will and our mind. God when he created you gave you a mind to think and reason, a will to choose or not to choose, and emotions that identify our humanity and sensitivity.

What a blessing each of us have been given by God’s creative hand. We can freely love, freely give, and freely interact with one another. Yet, in all truth we do not choose to freely exercise emotions the way God created us to use them. Instead, we have hate, greed, and war.
We the body of Christ are told: “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us as an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.” Ephesians 5:2

God is telling us in our world our walk must leave a sweet aroma to those who meet us or see us. To me the highest emotion is love, it is a choice, and most of all we are to pass it on. Then he goes on to tell us: “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving thanks.” Ephesians 5:3-4

Our very words, actions, and things we might consider OK are issues that take away from a thankful heart towards our God. See jestering is not only teasing, joking, poking, and prying but it's harassment. It does not please God and hurts those we are suppose to love.

Ever caught yourself teasing someone? Ever talked unwholesome conversation? Ever pried into someone’s life? Ever kept hanging the carrot in the face of someone? These things are not to be so in the child of God. The best thing you can do when you are tempted to commit these acts are to stop, run to God, and seek his face.

Here is a promise to hold to: “All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing forward or perverse in them.” Proverbs 8:8
When my world is shaken my tendency is to react. Just like when I heard of the earthquake my first action was reaction. Then when I sat quietly thinking of the sorrow and suffering of others I felt compassion. After then came prayer and of course wonder? No matter what we as God’s children face or encounter, we have been given the empowerment to do right. Jesus as he walked this earth used the wisdom from God his Father and he never brought shame to God or sinned against another. In fact: Jesus surrendered everything so that we could have His mind, will, and emotions.
So when you feel your life shaking, breaking, or collapsing: run directly to Jesus and put all your life in His nail scarred hands.

Oh, Jesus if only we could comprehend that in you we can even master our emotions. Help us Lord to give our all to you so that you will be glorified by one who is living for you and you alone. May the only emotion we have is the passion to tell others about your great salvation. Thank you Lord for this New Year and may we your children bring glory to your name. AMEN...

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