Have you thanked Him?
Have you praised Him?
Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?
Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?
1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)
1-3The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.
"There are many things that are essential to arriving at true peace of mind, and one of the most important is faith, which cannot be acquired without prayer.- John Wooden
...bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks. Then the peace of God that exceeds all understanding will keep your hearts and minds...(Philippians 4:6-7 CEB)
One of the toughest things about the work we do in the “addiction space” is balancing GRACE and TRUTH when working with someone in recovery. Grace without truth deceives people, and ceases to be grace. Truth without grace crushes people, and ceases to be truth.
That can be a perilous path. It is WHY when faced with challenging circumstances or a difficult decision, PRAYER is essential to finding the peace of mind to navigate the challenge.
Yesterday was one of those days.
Several of us needed to navigate the paradox that is GRACE and TRUTH.
I believe that is why I was reminded of this little quote and this powerful encouragement from Paul today and before wading any further into this situation or future ones on the horizon, I need to remember to START with prayer.
For what ensued yesterday was a bit of a ping-pong match between grace and truth. The truth was change was needed. But grace demanded that it be done in love and compassion. Truth demanded transparency and offered the prospect of conflict, but grace was counted on to ease the pressure.
As Christians we are called to navigate life and situations like this; just as Jesus did. For He was and is the Master of GRACE and TRUTH.
John 1:17 (CED)
…grace and truth came into being through Jesus Christ.
Yet without prayer; without FAITH in Christ, peace in these tough situations is elusive and grace and truth can be lost in the sauce so to speak.
That is why is crucial that each day we listen to both Wooden and Paul before venturing out or into tenuous situations.
“…bring all things to GOD”; especially the challenge.
“…don’t do anything without FAITH and without prayer.”
And then pause for the peace.
GOD has promised to offer PEACE of mind when we pray and it is from that PEACE of MIND that GOD will guard our hearts in CHRIST JESUS, the keeper and distributor of GRACE and TRUTH!
We will then know better how to balance them; grace and truth.
We will then know better how to exercise them.
We will then know better how to operate in them.
“God's saving love in Christ, however, is marked by both radical truthfulness about who we are and yet also radical, unconditional commitment to us. The merciful commitment strengthens us to see the truth about ourselves and repent. The conviction and repentance moves us to cling to and rest in God's mercy and grace.” - Keller
And it is when we understand the nature of grace and truth in our lives that we are able to extend it to others.
So I say it again, before you venture out today, pray in FAITH for GOD to grant you the peace to operate this day in the glorious balance of CHRIST’s grace and truth!
I love you all.
Have a blessed day!
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