“Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God, and he who loves is born of God and knows God.” 1 John 4:7 RSV
There will be varying reactions to the new you. Most people around you will be slow to catch on to the free love you’re enjoying; some never will. Many have never experienced the real love of God and it will take time, persistence, and consistency for them to get it. Have faith. Pray for them and leave them to God! They may be skeptical, doubting, or in complete denial right now. But a few of them will begin to see the new wisdom, genuine joy, and quiet strength in you, and will pause to reflect. Slowly one or two of them will come out of hiding, and then a few more. They’ll ask about what’s different with you and inquire about getting it for themselves. Some may begin to voice their fears and doubts, disguised as concern, control, demands, temptations, helplessness, etc. Do not be shaken by these demonstrations. Smile and pray for them. They need your steady peace as they wrestle with their own hearts.
From this point on, the relationships in your life, volatile though they may be, can become a mutual blessing if managed carefully. Bless them by sharing with them what you’ve been learning and experiencing. Answer the questions you can, leave the ones you can’t, all the while pointing them to God for themselves. Protect your privacy from undue curiosity by keeping gentle but clear boundaries around unnecessary, personal, and sensitive information. Solicit their blessings to protect your progress from old habits and new distractions by clearly stated goals, committed accountability partners, and frequent celebrations to direct their attention and efforts. Courageously, quickly, and thoroughly confess and correct your mistakes. Be gracious, patient, persistent, and persevering toward yourself and your personal development. Exhibit love for God, self-respect, and care for others consistently. Join project teams, hire great help, make new friends to keep your social atmosphere progressive and positive. Your life will steadily grow stronger.
Oh God, thank you for being a Good Friend.
Leave a comment