Annoyed by Wrong Actions

A few years ago there was a world situation that really had me upset. I had been fussing about it for several days and my conversation was focused on it. (and right now, I can’t even remember the particulars of it) Anyway, it filled my conversation and my thoughts – I wasn’t praying about it, I was complaining. I had lost my focus and then I came across these verses.

“Don’t get upset about evil people. Don’t be jealous of those who do wrong. They are like grass and other green plants that dry up quickly and then die. So trust in the Lord and do good. Live on your land and be dependable. Enjoy serving the Lord, and he will give you whatever you ask for. Depend on the Lord. Trust in him, and he will help you. He will make it as clear as day that you are right.  Everyone will see that you are being fair.Trust in the Lord and wait quietly for his help. Don’t be angry when people make evil plans and succeed. Don’t become so angry and upset that you, too, want to do evil. The wicked will be destroyed, but those who call to the Lord for help will get the land he promised.” Psalm 37:1-9 ERV

When I read these words I laughed out loud. My first thought was “Lord, I’ve been busted”. Instead of focusing on those who were doing wrong I knew the Lord wanted me to focus on Him. This situation was temporary and it was stealing my joy and my peace.

The instruction was clear. Trust the Lord, depend on Him, wait for God’s help, don’t be angry, be dependable. All of these are positive, righteous actions. The anger and complaining weren’t.

Two words jumped out at me. Be dependable! The people around me, those that composed my world of influence, needed me to be dependable. I needed to let God’s light shine through me so others could see the hope that lives in me.

“God once said, “Let light shine out of the darkness!” And this is the same God who made his light shine in our hearts to let us know that his own divine greatness is seen in the face of Christ. We have this treasure from God, but we are only like clay jars that hold the treasure. This is to show that the amazing power we have is from God, not from us.” II Corinthians 4:6-7 ERV

The Lord reminded me of these verses the other day. Yes, I had been complaining again and my attention was focused on people and not on the Lord. I could enter in with everyone else’s comments and complaints or I could be dependable and be a light for God’s goodness.

Maybe, just maybe, you’ve been there too. Let’s join our lights together as we “trust the Lord and do good”.

Thankful for Integrity

When our youngest daughter was in pre-school her teacher would give out certificates at the end of each week.

The certificates read: “Caught in the Act of Doing Good”, and then there was a line where the teacher would right what the student did. Our daughter was such a helper and there were always “Doing Good” certificates in her folder.

That’s integrity. Doing right because it’s right.

It’s not doing what’s right because someone is watching. Not driving the speed limit because there’s a patrol car behind you. It’s not cheating because the teacher is watching. It’s not stealing because you won’t get caught. It’s not gossiping because someone might be listening…

Doing what’s right because it’s right!

“Guard my soul and rescue me; Do not let me be ashamed or disappointed,
For I have taken refuge in You. 21 Let integrity and uprightness protect me,
For I wait [expectantly] for You.” Psalm 25:20-21 AMP

Just yesterday we were talking with our oldest daughter and her husband about being on time. There’s integrity in that simple act. Being late is like robbing your employer; they expect you to be at work on time and pay you according. If someone is late 5 minutes a day or leaves early, calculate that out over a year, it’s a costly practice.

It’s important that we keep our word. If we say we will be somewhere at a certain time, we need to be there. It makes our word good, that’s integrity.

A few years back I read a book by Jon Huntsman, “Winner’s Never Cheat”. Honesty, true honesty, is greatly lacking in our world today and this little book shows how this very successful businessman gained his wealth. It was by never cheating. He never went back on His word.

What an example integrity sets for our children.

“Many a man proclaims his own loyalty and goodness, But who can find a faithful and trustworthy man? 7 The righteous man who walks in integrity and lives life in accord with his [godly] beliefs—How blessed [happy and spiritually secure] are his children after him [who have his example to follow].” Proverbs 20:6-7 AMP

Integrity is a blessing. It can be interchanged with the word character.

I am grateful for those in business who keep their word. They are someone I will go to again and I will also tell my friends about the quality of their character.

When we exhibit integrity in our dealings with others we are representing the Father. We are displaying His character through our actions. I desire to set an example of good character for my children, grandchildren and my neighbors.

Yes, I’m thankful integrity. May we all be caught in the act of doing good!