Chill
Sometimes it isn't that easy to be around people.
As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. - Colossians 3:12-17
Even Jesus at times got fed up with the people and needed to get away, to be alone.
Paul tells us to be loving and caring of one another, but you have to be in the right state of mind to do that.
If we find ourselves in need of time or space, we should take it. Confrontation comes from stress and conflict comes through confrontation, so maybe we should all just chill out a bit first.
Paul brings himself back to center by focusing on Jesus. He tells us to do everything in the name of Christ and give thanks to the Father for all of it, the good and the bad.
If we are to make it through this life, we need to have a center that is God-filled. That is the only way we can deal with the stuff thrown at us, accept the good with joy, and brush off the bad with thanksgiving that it is only as bad as it is and not worse.
This begins a new year, with hope for something better for all.
We can dwell on the past, or we can step forward. The choice is ours.
Thank you, God for all that is and all that is past. And thank you also for the opportunity to step into the future with you by my side.
More to come...