Sometimes life gets hard and challenges arise in our lives. Sometimes our own fleshly attitudes get in the way and our sinful nature rises to the surface. Let's face it, there are times when we believers in Jesus Christ just don't act very Spiritual. We all have bad days at times. There are times when we fail miserably in our walk with Jesus.
I am thankful my standing with God is not based on my goodness and keeping a list of rules because I know I would definitely fail all the time. I know I am not good enough to earn God's forgiveness. I am not good enough to earn my way into Heaven. I do know that I am saved by grace through faith in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I am deeply loved by the Living God despite all of my faults and failures. I am thankful that I am saved through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
I must confess I had one of those bad days today. I felt a little tired and maybe a little cranky. I even had a customer get mad at me today. I ended up just ended up walking away (which I felt was in the best interest of both of us) from the situation. I am not sure if I handled the situation the proper way. This customer was kind of rude and demanded that I move so she could get some lettuce. So I did. I wheeled my cart out back. She didn't like that very much. She wanted fresher lettuce (even though it was fresh because the Produce Manager had just put some there on the shelf that morning).
Then the customer ended up telling one of the store managers about the whole ordeal with her arms flailing about. I could tell she was angry. The manager ended up getting her a lettuce from out back (which was the same batch that was actually on the shelf.) and hopefully she was satisfied.
I told my Produce Manger what happened. I even told him that I felt bad and even a little ashamed. He didn't even want to deal with this customer either. I am sorry that I made this customer angry and I forgive her for her reaction and anger.
Sometimes we don't handle situations the way we should. Sometimes we mess up and sometimes we have bad days, but there is still a God that loves us despite our faults. I have many faults, I know. I am sometimes too shy and quiet. Sometimes I am too sensitive (I have been told that).
I could list several more faults, but that would be a long list and rather depressing. The devil wants us to look at our faults and failures which are many, but we must not look at our faults. We must instead forgive others and forgive ourselves and look unto Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior.
Jesus loves us with our faults and all. God demonstrated His great love for us by sending us Jesus Christ who died on a cruel rugged Cross for a sinner such as I. I have a lot to learn, I know.
I am thankful that the Lord is still at work in this heart of mine. I am thankful that one day that work will be complete when Christ returns.
We must remember to keep our focus on Jesus Christ. We serve Him ultimately and there will be days when Satan will attack us to try to throw us of track. Sometimes it may be our own hearts that throw us off track as well. The Lord will keep us on track through His Holy Spirit if we allow Him to lead us.
I am thankful that God loves me. I am thankful that I am saved by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. We need to love the Lord with all of our minds, bodies, and souls. We also must love others as we love ourselves. We also need to love and pray for those who hate us and are angry with us.
Sometimes the Lord will allow us to experience difficulties so we will learn to lean upon Him and His strength and no our own. We are weak. I am weak, I know that, but I am thankful that my God is strong and a helper in my time of need. The Lord is my strength. He is my Rock and my Shield.
When life gets hard we need to run to Jesus. He is willing to forgive us. He is willing to help us in our times of need and weakness. He is ready to encourage. We need to feed upon His Holy Word, the Bible and be led by the Holy Spirit.
Lord, Heavenly Father,
Thank You for loving us even though we are prone to failure.
I thank You for Your forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
Thank You Jesus for not giving up on me.
Thank You for Your mercy and Your Amazing Grace.
Help us to encourage each other as we run the race of faith.
I pray for Christ centered friendships to develop in my life.
I pray for Your direction and Your will for my life to be made clear to me.
In Jesus Name we pray,
Amen.
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