YOUR RESPONSE MATTERS

In response, you have agreed that the Lord will be your God, that you will obey all his laws and teachings, and that you will listen when he speaks to you.

Deuteronomy 26:17 CEV

Recently, I had a 6-year-old angel tell me that she doesn’t like when she gives a message and people miss it. She also said she doesn’t like when she has to repeat herself. Then, she went to tell me that God doesn’t either and when He tells me to do something, I need to do that immediately. She had more to say but I’ll keep that part to myself because that part was just for me. She was absolutely correct, and I truly needed to hear that in that moment. So, here goes.

Your response matters to God.

 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT

As a believer, we are held to a higher standard. We will be judged by how we respond to just about anything. If we disagree and choose to match energies or give someone a piece of our minds, our Christianity is questioned. Forget the fact that we are human or even the fact that we were wronged in some way. All that will matter is how we responded. Somehow the response outweighs the disrespect. As one who has previously allowed my emotions to get me out of character, I get it. I never want to respond out of anger or frustration . And I definitely don’t want to do or say anything that will grieve the Father in any way. So, for that reason, I take the time process my emotions and pray before I respond.

Prayer is a response.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. “

Matthew 5:43-45 ESV

I love that silence can be my reply.

“God will fight the battle for you.  And you? You keep your mouths shut!”

Exodus 14:14 MSG

There is always so much more I could say but the more important question is how you will respond to God.

‘‘But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”

Joshua 24:15 NLT

#TrustGod.