Devotionals

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Lock into L.O.C.K.

“The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools.”

Ecclesiastes 9:17 (NIV)


The chance of my becoming a writer in an advanced category or an eloquent speaker would be lessened if I would not have heeded the advice of an extremely wise person who shared some Godly wisdom with me.

An acrostic such as K.I.S.S. (Keep it Simple Stupid) spoke volumes to me in both my speaking and writing endeavors. Unfortunately, I am still in the learning process and have not achieved this profound concept.

Mantled with the gift of teaching paired with a passion for writing makes an interesting combination. The desire to “tell all” and explain every step and detail may make an effective demonstration or create an admirable thesis, but it becomes tedious reading. I admire those who convey so much in an abbreviated manner in a short time.

Perhaps the greatest nugget of wisdom I received was from a wise and wonderful man given the name “Big Daddy.” He is the owner of our local Christian bookstore.
It was a turning point in my life when I was in dire need of counsel, when he shared with me the L.O.C.K. system.

The “L” stands for “Let It Go!”

I learned that life is just too short to allow any irritation originating from people or circumstances to upset me. The ‘L’ has kept me from taking myself or what others say to or about me too seriously. All the negative grumbling and complaining took more time out of my life that was needed for laughing, loving, and living. Proverbs 19:11 (NIV) states that “ a man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.”

The “O” stands for “On Your Knees.”

When there is a little more than a minor offense, or it is something that you just can’t shake off your shoulders, the wisest thing to do is to fall to your knees! If the burden is getting a bit heavy and you just can’t seem to resolve or do something about it then…”Go to Jail, go directly to jail…Do not pass go,” but rather let your jail cell be where it is just you and your heavenly Father. How will you know what He wants until you present it to Him? Then your part is to listen to Him and in obedience think, say, and do what He says. I guarantee that when that heavy weight rolls off your shoulders on to His, you will rise lighter knowing that both He and you know the battle is now His. He will bring a change. It may surprise you to know it is not always a change in the other person, or the circumstance, but a change in you that will resolve the problem. He may provide you with a fresh outlook at the situation and give you the empathy to walk in another’s shoes.

The “C” stands for “Confront.”

When the ‘L’ and the ‘O’ have failed then it may be that God is prompting you to go to the next step. This step is one of the hardest of all steps for anyone, because it involves much preparation in prayer, and a listening and loving heart that seeks out, or presents the truth to a person. This is where you must ask God to go before you and in love and compassion confront in love. Again, positive changes may or may not occur, but changes have to come in God’s own time and in His own way. There may be reconciliations which take place, or growth for everyone involved, including yourself, but you have done everything now, and it is between God and His precious Spirit and the other person to make things “right” again.

The “K” stands for “Keep.”

Keep praying, Keep the faith, Keep the Love flowing, and as it has been stated in I Corinthians 13:5 (NIV), “Love keeps no records of wrongs.”

Are you ready to lock into L.O.C.K.? To all those who desire to obtain such wisdom start using your S.O.S. (Simple Operating System) of L.O.C.K. and be prepared to come away blessed!

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