When we love people, we gladly "waste time" with them. We might walk sideby side to the corner store and back, arguing about which character in a novelis most frustrating for the tenth time. Individually these moments are nothingspecial, but the sum of them creates a precious intimacy. Whether we are shar-ing an inside joke or caring for each other‘s hurts, our choice to "waste time"
with each other is an expression of love.
- P3
But when we are jealous of others, we become competitive. We sacrifice rest andabandon those we once loved in order to get the physique, social standing, andfinancial resources we admire in others. - P3
However, the writer of Ecclesiastes re-veals that when he gained what others envied, he found no pleasure in it. Hedescribes a life motivated by jealousy as "chasing after the wind." - P3
A world ruled by jealousy considers our calling to love to be a waste of time.
However, Jesus summarizes the wisdom of Ecclesiastes by teaching, "Whoeverwants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will findit" (Matt. 16:25). - P3
As we "waste our time" with acts of love, may we discover thatwe are gaining more than we could ever have asked for. - P3
Discerning whether a person is will-ing to make changes can help us determine whether we should give objectivefeedback, loving affirmation, or something in between. - P168
I find it difficult to get along with those different from me.
My friends and family have given me the same feedbackover the years: I just need to chill out and live withdisappointment, which sounds like lowering my standards.
- P168
However, mytolerance remains pretty low, and I have a hardtime with my friends who say I am too harsh. But the moreI read the Bible, the more I see that God calls me to love andembrace others. - P168
Is it wrong of me to give honest feedback tomy friends when they hurt or disappoint me? - P168
Your friends might call you harsh because you offer critical feedback when allthey want is your affirmation. - P168
When a person does not want or expect yourhonest opinion, giving it is often unhelpful and may be unloving. - P168
If you aremore generous with affirmation and encouragement, your friends may takethe initiative to ask you for constructive criticism when they need it. - P168
Criticalfeedback can be very valuable, but only when the recipient believes it is givenby someone who is supportive and committed to their good. - P168
When you aretold to "chill out," I wonder if you feel like the prophet Jeremiah, who testified,
"His word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am wearyholding it in; indeed, I cannot" (Jer. 20:9). There are certainly times when Goddoes not want us to stay silent. If commanded by God, we must speak criticalwords on His behalf to correct people who are hardening their hearts. - P169
Manyfaithful prophets delivered critical messages, and Jesus often gave unsolicitedcritical feedback to the religious leaders of His day. - P169
But before we claim to befollowing in their footsteps, we must discern in prayer whether the urge to speakis truly coming from God. - P169
In your case, it seems that your criticisms are aimed at the imperfections ofyour friends and family that disappoint you. If so, remember that in additionto honest feedback, people also need gracious affirmation and time in order tochange. - P169
If it is clear that people already know the truth about what they need tochange, then meet them where they are at and speak grace to them. - P169
Tell themthat youknow God is at work in them and share with them the progress youhave noticed. In doing so, may your feedback serve God‘spurposes. - P169
3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land andenjoy safe pasture.
3 Trust in the LORD and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper,
- P22
4 Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you thedesires of your heart.
4 Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart‘s desires.
- P22
5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and hewill do this:
5 Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you. - P22
Do not be envious of those who do evil, for they will soon wither like grass.
Trust in the Lord and take delight in Him. He will give you the desires of yourheart and make your righteous reward shine like the dawn. - P23
Wait patiently forthe Lord and refrain from anger, for those who do evil will be destroyed, butthose who hope in the Lord will inherit the earth. - P23
The wicked ways of this world sometimes seem enticing, and we mayeven be jealous of those who do evil. But David warns worshipers topay no heed to their sins, for these will be brought to light and theprosperity of the wicked will come to an end. - P24
The people of God arecalled to trust in the Lord and take delight in Him so that they mightdwell safely in their land. For ancient Israel, this was a reference to theirphysical inheritance, but for Christians, we look forward to a heavenlykingdom where we will enjoy eternal rest. - P24
Let us find joy in the presenceof the Lord and pursue righteousness in all that we do. - P24
As we wait for the fulfillment of God‘s eternal promises, we live in aworld full of people working to achieve earthly, material success -often through unjust and
oppressive means. - P24
But this is not the path towhich we have been called. Instead of worrying about falling behind,
we should trust in the Lord and be confident in what He has alreadyaccomplished for us. - P24
He will ensure that the wicked are brought toaccount and the righteous are vindicated and rewarded. - P24
Let us be stilland patiently wait for the Lord to bring about true and lasting changein this world-the kind of change that everyone longs for but only Godcan accomplish. - P24
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