A Way to EscapeWritten by Joyce C. Lock
Have you ever stumped your toe and most fowl words hung on tip of your tongue? Maybe when a gorgeous babe walked by, you caught them checking you out. Perhaps dry cleaners ruined your outfit and a few choice words came to mind. Suppose a check was delivered to you in mail, by mistake. Consider if someone set out to hurt you and perfect opportunity arose to get even. Have you ever found yourself in a position where, if you just keep your mouth shut, you'll receive credit? Perhaps you observe keys in another's car. Maybe you're in a different town where no one would notice you visiting local bar. Or, you're on vacation at beach, where church members will never see how you dress. Have you ever been tempted when a store clerk doesn't notice extra item in your cart? Maybe you think a tranquilizer really would calm your nerves. Suppose you ran across a girly magazine and it kept saying, "Just one look." Sometimes, that's all it takes. Satan couldn't tempt us if there wasn't some small secret part in us that wanted temptation. The same advice we give our children works for us. Just say, "No."
| | A Cross to BearWritten by Joyce C. Lock
Being misunderstood can feel like a cross to bear. When wounded, people have found art, poetry, and music as avenues of statement. Even when our heart gets ripped, as others judge things not understood, God understands. There's comfort in knowing God is never blinded to our need, which offers wondrous things to share. Sometimes, as we seek comfort in others, God allows them to fail because He wants to be that special person in our lives. Knowing such doesn't immediately eliminate struggles of emotional abandonment. We're glad God loves us. We just want another to care besides Him. Once realized that none loves like God, He becomes appreciated in newfound ways. Then, we're ready to share with others ... "Do you know how special that is? Of all people in world, God choose you to reach down and love." He says, "You are so special to me. Would you let me be your friend?" When people's response to us is, "No. I don't want to be friends," that hurts. Seldom do we consider how God feels when we say, "No," to Him.
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