Sometimes I read something and think,’wow that’s a simple life strategy.’ There are lots of life-skill coaches around. They usually love quotes, urging their listeners to see the bigger picture and not sweat the small stuff. Be strong, you can do this.
I think Paul was a great life-skill coach. He says in 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.
Being on guard is something I learned as I matured. I suddenly realised that sometimes my friendliness could be misinterpreted by the opposite sex!
I learned that to protect my marriage I needed to be extra vigilant and absolutely be on my guard. I take care not to befriend anyone of the opposite sex or overtly encourage them. If men approach me for advice or my opinion, I take care to avoid a private meeting. If I know their wives, I always will make contact with them first and include them in the conversation.
There are many things for me to be on my guard over. A very common one is what I say. Listening is safer than speaking. Oh my. Helga the talker can slip up here very easily! Be on your guard. Keep your mouth shut. Guard your speech.
And then there are my thoughts. Guard your thoughts. They can lead to destruction. Replace the negative with useful thoughts such as Bible verses. When I saw this verse this morning, I wanted to write it down and start memorising it.
To live a life that is honouring to God, I need to be on my guard. I need to stand firm in my faith – cling to God – search His Word for the answers to life’s issues – I need to be courageous in standing up for what is write. I need to trust God for a supernatural strength that only He can give.
And I have to do everything in love.
God is the God of second chances. I so often have got a second chance. A chance to do better – a chance to stand firmer, to have more courage and to be strong in following God and His will for me.
I heard the other day of a friend who was mugged not far from me. She was walking and had seen a man walking not too far off. As she walked past some bushland, he grabbed her and started trying to drag her into the bush. As she used the Name of Jesus, her cell phone, which she was not going to take with her that morning, fell out of her pocket. The attacker grabbed it and fled. She was left shaken.
When walking I need to be on my guard. I look into the faces of those I pass. Sometimes I see a look I’d rather not see….is it anger or bitterness – unhappiness? I greet. Most times they greet back. Sometimes they are surprised. The folk that pass me are not expecting a greeting. But at all times, I need to be on my guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.
Great words to remember and for me they come with a prayer, “Oh Lord help me to implement them.”
Keep the smile going.
God bless you!
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂