Monday, March 16, 2009

Blessed

I am beginning to learn more and more that in the midst of all of our sufferings, life is what we make out of it. I am choosing to put one foot in front of the other and continue to realize the blessings each day brings. I am choosing to let go of the grudges...the false accusations and painful memories...the people that were uncaring and unwilling to seek out the truth.

Blessed are those that mourn their sins.-
I am far from perfect and have made mistake after mistake in my life.

Blessed are the meek.
-Not to be confused with weak...meekness brings gentle understanding to those around them.

Blessed are the merciful.
-The forgiving...the compassionate...those that choose to love and let go.

Blessed are the pure in heart.-My thoughts, feelings, actions have been/continue to be impure. I am a sinner. I have fallen short of God's neverending glory. I will be IN the world not OF the world. I choose to honor the hearts and reputations of those around me...those that have cursed me...those that have hurt me. I will shower God's affection as an expression of love. I shall seek and SEE God. I strive to focus on the fingerprints of the Lord on everything around me. I will choose to be a peace maker...not just a peace lover. I will seek and continue to pursue Christ.

Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness.
-Although we are pushed down when we are kindhearted, we must do what is right. I have been slandered and my reputation...my name has been tainted by the unkind words of others. I will not sit still. I will not stay quiet and hide in the shelter of my own pride. I will not stop nor limit my suffering by failing to do what is right. The faithful will feel pain. Christians suffer. The righteous will be hurt. I will gain everything in continuing to walk with the Lord. God will help me endure the pain and ridicule. The world is at war with God. I will be blessed for holding my tongue. I will not speak negatively about those that have talked negatively about me.

In my flesh I will want to get even. I will want to correct false accusations. I will want to return evil and bring suffering to those that have hurt me. I will want to "clear up" the story. However, the world will see the love of God in my life. Without words, my actions will speak the truth of the past. My heart will be understood by those that care in my life.

I will be thankful for the people in my life that God has used to strengthen me. I will love those around me more than my own selfish desires, and I will put them above myself. I must pursue peace and endure persecution. I will be blessed if I recognize God's love and remain loyal to the truth. The truth that sustains everything else. I will live life abundantly, for I am blessed!