Encouragement
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Who You Really Are
In our life we like to look at ourselves as good people (most do anyway), But have you ever really looked at who you are. Have you ever seen your true reflection? Ones version of what it is to be a good person is much different than someone else's. This is because of someone's upbringing, lack of love in their life, someone that came into your life that lead you down wrong roads and you were blinded to your true reflection. Your words are one thing and your actions are another. If your actions are not a reflection of your words, than your speaking out both sides of your mouth, as I tell my children don't tell me, show me.
Your actions are the true reflection of who you are. Are you in friendships because of what you get out of them? Or are you just a friend and there because you want to be the best version of you to all around you? Who are you when no one is looking? Are you the same person or do you walk around as one person and when the door closes you're someone completely different, and only a few people know the true you. Are you the type of person that says "I'll always be here for you" and when that person needs you, you find reasons to not be there at their time of need? What would your "friends" say about you if they know you would never find out? If they were given a poll that asked questions about who you are as a person. Would they say that you're selfish, that you're greedy, self-centered and not one that can't be depended on. A true friend will say what you need to hear and not what you may want to hear. You can chose to hear it, or go on being as you are, thinking you're a "Good Person".
"Wounds from a friend are faithful wounds, but beware of the kisses from your enemy." Do you get it, because I know I have to remind myself of this time and time again! I get fooled also, because some are so good at telling what you want to hear. You take it as, they are on your side, as they have your back, when in fact they are just out to please your ear and not looking to help your heart and who you are.
It's like if your "friend" was drowning and you just watched them sink to the bottom and turned around and had no thought of it. Because your lack of being someone to jump in and help by advice, guidance and at times, you may need even drag them to the shore. But instead, you just let them drop to the bottom of the sea. If there is anyone in your life that you value, that you truly have love for and you are able to just walk away from them. You need to check yourself.
There's a thing called tough love, I am not talking about tough love. I am talking about someone that you love and that loves you, but it's a false love a surface love. When you truly love someone, you love them for all the good and bad and your help each other. You never abandon them. At the same time, again you must guard your heart. "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it". I have found when I do not do this it is trampled on, taken advantage of, left to sink to the bottom of the sea. The ones that have a self-seeking agenda ( the false love) will eventually be discovered and my word of advice is to remove them from your life. As painful as it may be to you, you have to do all you can to erase them from your life or they will allow you to sink and not have a care. Who wants that type of person in their life?!?
I challenge you to truly look in the mirror of life to see what type of person you are, and is the reflection you see a good, and all around you, or just to you. I need to say, Yes, you do not have to be religious to be a good person, but again what are you using to judge yourself. I also need to say that NO ONE is perfect and all that walk this earth will disappoint you at some time in your life. This is why each day we have a new opportunity to better ourselves, seek forgiveness to the ones we have wronged and make a positive change in our life. "For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." So seek forgiveness and then it's up to the other person to forgive, you have done your part. Never stop forgiving people, you can remember what they did so you are not fooled again, but truly forgive others. Bitterness and grudges are like a cancer that will change you as a person. "In whatever you do, don't let selfishness or pride be your guide. Be humble, and honor others more than yourselves."
I use the Book of Life to be my mirror to see myself, unfiltered and who I am truly being. At times I don't like what I see, but I need to see it to better myself. Everyone wants to Photoshop their life, to make themselves appear much different than they really are. I have found the Book of Life is just that, an amazing manual to life. Anything and everything you need to find is in it, amazing wisdom is what you will find.
Christ changed everything in one day, the sermon on the mound. If you have never looked it up, I encourage all to do it. Wisdom will be found, and once you have it never let it go. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5-7&version=NIV
Here are few Items from the Book of Life, and the sermon on the mound.
"Listen, friends, to some fatherly advice; sit up and take notice so you'll know how to live. I'm giving you good counsel; don't let it go in one ear and out the other."
"Evil people are restless unless they're making trouble; They can't get a good night's sleep unless they've made life miserable for somebody. Perversity is their food and drink, violence their drug of choice."
"The lips of a seductive woman are oh so sweet, her soft words are oh so smooth. But it won't be long before she's gravel in your mouth, a pain in your gut, a wound in your heart. She's dancing down the primrose path to Death; she's headed Straight for Hell and taking you with her. She hasn't a clue about Real Life, about who she is or where she's going."
Sermon on the mound
"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you."
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?"
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
I love this one! Check yourself before pointing out the flaws of others.
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Life is about constant improvement of ourselves, Learn who you are and if you don't like what you see, Change it! Make sure the reflection is not clouded by anything. Do not measure you being a good person by your own standards because we are all flawed. Tomorrow may never come, so your time is here and now!
Kristopher Chambers 7-13-13
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