Don't Let Your Heart Be Troubled

You know, I can get so worked up by what other people do, think, believe, etc. But last week while listening to a James McDonald sermon on Relationships, I had an epiphany!

This overlaps what I talked about in my post about relationships but I need to carry this on to other posts. I may even need to put it on my sidebar to remind me daily. It was this: Don't let your heart get into turmoil over how other people live or act.

In other words, don't worry about it. It's not my life. It's none of my business.

I think I have 530 friends on Facebook. I have friends who are gay, straight, liberal, conservatives, atheists, Christians, Buddhists and many in between. I see a lot of "stuff", a lot of dirty laundry, a lot of cries for help, posted that I think, "you know, if you just had God in your life, if you had a Biblical worldview, your life wouldn't be so troubled". I keep my mouth shut but it bothers me. I have to get rid of my Biblical list of do's and don'ts for other people and just keep it for myself.

We are to speak the truth in love. (Ephesians 4:15) If I post my opinion on politics, religion, or whatever or post scripture that "preaches" against what someone is doing, how loving is that?

This is what I realized. I don't have to stand before God for what you or anyone else has done. I have to stand before God for how I have lived MY life. So I will keep on truckin' along, doing what I am doing and I'll keep praying for those people.

2 Peter 3:9 says The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

At the same time, I don't think we are to be silent.

Matthew 5:13-16 says 13"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

James 2:17 NLT says So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

So you see, we can't just go out and say, "oh well, they don't get it...too bad." We have to let our lives show Christ's love with non-judgemental attitudes. Yikes...easier said than done but..

So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him. 2 Cor 5:9