Lessons learned the first 50 years

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I hit a milestone. I turned 50 years old. I am thankful that I don't feel 50.   I am thankful for things God has taught me throughout those 50 years. .  I have learned that God loves mercy and when I feel a sense that justice needs to happen over mercy, all I need to do is remember that I am thankful for when God gives me mercy instead of a just punishment.   (Micah 6:8 8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.) ( Luke 6: 36  Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. ) I have learned that hurt people end up hurting people.   When I am able to see that I didn't hurt them but I am bearing the results of that persons hurt inflicted by other people, it helps me forgive whatever hurt they pushed onto me and move on.  (Romans 12 : 18  If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. )  I have learned that anyone who thinks they have God

In a room with razor walls?


Do you sometimes just feel like you have put yourself in a room with razors for walls? If you have ever dealt with anger, unforgiveness, or bitterness, you know this feeling. But, how do you get rid of it? Alot of it is focusing on what is true..NOW. We can't live in the past. Didn't someone famous once say that? :)
Anyway, one book that is so helpful for not wasting your energy and life on such negative emotions is a book called Life is a Vapor by John Piper. Here are some nuggets out of it. James 1:19-20 Be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness that God required. Eph. 4:31 Let all bitterness and wrath...ang anger and clamor..and slander be put away from you. 1. Ponder the right of Christ to be anger, but how He endured the cross, as an example of long suffering (1Peter 2:21). 2. Ponder how much you have been forgiven, and how much mercy you have been shown (eph 4:32)/ 3. Ponder your own sinfulness and take the beam out of your own eye (Matt 7:3-5). 4. Ponder how harbored anger gives place to the devil ( Eph 4:26-27) 5. Ponder the folly of your own self-immolation, that is, the numerous detrimental effects of anger to the one who is anger- some spiritual, some mental, some physical, and some relational (Pro 3:7-8) 6. Confess your sin of anger to some trusted friend and if possible to the offender (James 5:16). 7. Let your anger bye the key to unlock the dungeons of pride and self-pity in your heart and replace them with love. (I corn. 13:4-7). 8. Remember that God is going to work all your frustrating circumstances for your good as you trust in His future grace. (Rom 8:28) (James 1:2-4) 9. Remember that God will vindicate your just cause and settle ALL accounts better than YOU could. (Rom 12:19/ 1 Peter 2:23).

Life is short. Make the most of it, for God, others, and yourself.
Enjoying the day,
Rachel

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