#SalvationIsOnlyThruJesusChrist
The Third Eye Perspective:
By Carlos C. Brown
Thoughts For Today – “The Hardest Person To Forgive, Is The Person In The Mirror.”
Good Morning Saints! How are you doing this morning, good I hope? Are you having a good work week so far, I sure hope so? Mine is actually going pretty good, but very busy I must say. I apologize for not being on top of my game of writing my “Thoughts For Today” on a regular basis lately. I have been dealing with some excruciating pain in my lower back, due to an auto accident back in December. And have been going thru treatment procedures to correct it. And it is with great pleasure, that I say they have finally managed to relieve the pain completely with the recent epidural spinal injections! I feel like a new man now, and can get back to doing some of the things I love doing! However, I will have to undergo another round of them, and then also a procedure to burn the nerve endings where the pain originates for longterm relief. If that’s what it takes, then so be it! Okay, on to today’s Devotional. Question, by a show of virtual hands, how many of you are your own worst enemy? And by that, I mean, that you are harder on yourself than anyone else could ever be? I will be the first to admit, that I am my own worst critic. People who really know me knows that, but some people on the outside looking in, might not believe that, but it is true. I look myself in the mirror every morning, and I am constantly asking myself “What Do I Need To Change About Myself Today For The Better?” And when I say I do it “everyday,” that’s exactly what I mean! It is with this train of thought, or line of thinking, that it was placed on my heart this morning to talk about “The Hardest Person To Forgive, Is The Person In The Mirror.” And AMEN goes right here……
Now, I’m sure you are wondering what this all has to do with Jesus Christ, God, and the Kingdom of Heaven am I right? Well think about it, if you spend that much of your time constantly focusing on identifying your flaws each morning, are you really doing anything productive to change them? I guess that could be debated both ways, for and against right? I mean, it is definitely something that each person should do periodically. That is just something needed to help keep you on your toes, to make sure you are on the right path with God. For those of you who work for a large or maybe even an average size corporation, do they not give you an annual evaluation of your job performance? I can honestly say, that all of my work related job evaluations have been “meets or exceeds” expected job qualifications. No, I’m not bragging, I am just stating fact. And even with that, my boss would list also, something that I could improve on. And when they didn’t, I would ask them if there was, because I’m not ever satisfied with being mediocre. I want to exceed expectations in everything that I do, I am a pleaser by nature, and that goes for every aspect of my life. Here is where this whole “mirror image” deal can get us into trouble. When we allow someone else’s opinion about us, to control how we see ourselves then we have given that person power over us. The last thing you want to do, when it comes to how you perceive yourself in the grand scheme of things, is to base that perceived image on other people’s opinions. The only person that we should ever be concerned about how they view us, is God and God alone. You are never going to be able to please every person you come into contact with. You are never going to be popular with everyone you come into contact with either. Why? Because some people will hate you just because of how highly everyone else praises you. That is just human nature, and it goes all the way back to Biblical times. Pause…..why did Cain slay his brother Abel? If you know the story, you know that Able did absolutely NOTHING to Cain whatsoever. However, Cain’s problem, was with God! Why did he not take it up with God, afterall, that’s who he was mad at? But instead, he chose to take his frustrations out on Abel, who was minding his own business, and doing what he was supposed to do in honoring God! So you see, even when you do right and mind your own business, some of the people closest to you will still find fault in you and lash out at you. I don’t know who this word is for today, but God is wanting someone to hear this message loud and clear!
Okay, okay, okay, what are some of the dangers of not forgiving yourself for things God has already forgiven you for? Well that’s pretty easy right there isn’t it? First of all, you will spend way too much time convicting yourself over and over! Think about when Moses slew the Egyptian soldier who was beating the Israelite slave. He went into the wilderness to escape anyone punishing him and stayed there for over 40 years. When God instructed Moses to go tell Aaron to speak to the people of Israel, Aaron couldn’t get past what he knew about Moses’ past. However, he found out just how that feels when he went before the people of Israel to speak, and they remembered that he (Aaron) was the one responsible for introducing the idea of worshipping the golden calf! You see, there is always going to be someone who will try to throw up something from your past when they see you doing something good or positive. And what’s funny, is if you remember when Jesus went to the well to drink and the Samaritan woman was there, she had an attitude towards Him the minute he walked up there and asked for one. “Woman can I have a drink of water?” Her reply, “well the well is deep and you brought nothing to draw water with?” Jesus to the woman, “I am thirsty, I need a drink of water really bad.” Her reply, “why did you come to this well, isn’t it so that Jews don’t associate with Samaritans, but now you want to associate with us since you need a drink of water?” Jesus’ reply to the woman, “I can give you living water!” The woman’s reply, “well I wish you would give me some living water, but you still don’t have anything to draw from this well with.” Jesus changed His approach, “woman, where is your husband?” Surprised, the woman answered, “I…………I have no husband.” Jesus replied, “You answered correctly, but isn’t it true that you have had 5 husbands, and currently you are living with a man that you call “your friend.” The woman was totally blown away by Jesus telling her things about her life that she didn’t think He knew. She changed her perception of Him from just a Jew needing a drink of water, to “Sir, I declare you are a prophet and she ran to town telling everyone, “come see a Man who is a prophet.” The moral of this story, is that the woman at the well had accepted her perceived image of herself, that she was a nobody, or not a woman of worth due to having been married five times. She took on a negative personality of bitterness and worthlessness, until Jesus set her straight. Maybe the reason you are having such a hard time forgiving yourself too, is because you have not had a true encounter with Jesus Christ like the Samaritan woman? Can I leave you with a question to ponder today if I may?
“Is there anything in your life that you still hold over your own head constantly, not willing to forgive yourself for?”
Can I Get An AMEN????
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