Christians are frustrated right now with the world, their countries, their leadership, their families, their friends, their neighbors . . . and some are fearful.
Many have lost faith.
Many have lost hope.
Many have lost love.
It’s easy to do when you are frustrated over unexpected circumstances, or perhaps even fearful of the future. When people are afraid, they tend to either flee or fight. Some will flee into isolation, cutting off relationships that are just too tiring to maintain. Some will turn and fight against their neighbor with a railing social media rant or subtle words that slight them.
I believe Christians should both flee and fight in unexpected or fearful times . . . just not in the way you might think.
Christians should flee to the arms of Jesus, seeking His counsel through His Word and in prayer.
AND
They should fight to love God and others above their own selfish interests.
They should fight to love their family, friends, neighbors . . . and enemies.
(In these socially turbulent times, perhaps a family member, friend, or neighbor has become your enemy, or at least, it seems that way.)
As you work out your fears and frustrations in God’s presence, fellowshipping with Him in prayer and reading His Word, are you actively seeking to apply His truth to your life?
1 Corinthians 13:13 offers three great graces that God has given us as the means to keep holding tightly to Him as we seek to pour out His love to others.
“And now there remain:
faith [abiding trust in God and His promises],
hope [confident expectation of eternal salvation],
love [unselfish love for others growing out of God’s love for me],
these three [the choicest graces]; but the greatest of these is love.”
(Amplified Version)
In his book, Crazy Love, Francis Chan says, “Do you know that nothing you do in this life will ever matter, unless it is about loving God and loving the people he has made?”
(This book is A Gritty Gospel Life recommended read. And, one of my all-time favs! You can support your favorite AmazonSmile charity by purchasing it here.)
time to respond . . .
Pause here and ask God to help you examine these gritty truths in light of the gospel and how to apply it to your life. Feel free to grab a journal and write out your answers to any or all of the prompts below.
think about the gritty (aka messy)
Of the three great graces—faith, hope, and love—which one(s) have I lost?
What has happened in my life that allowed me to push faith, hope, and love out of my heart?
think about the gospel
How does the "good news" of Jesus (aka the gospel) impact my thoughts and desires about faith, hope, and love in these uncertain times?
Since love is the greatest of these three, meditate on the love of Christ and your responsibilities to love Him and others.
How has losing sight of love impacted what you place your faith and hope in?
think about your life
What is one of the biggest frustrations or fears in my life right now?
What am I going to do to replace it with faith, hope, and love?
Then . . . how am I going to live that out as it relates to loving God and others?
Further study: Hebrews 11:1-3, Hebrews 6:17-20, 1 Corinthians 13:1-7
close in prayer
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you foster faith, hold onto hope in Christ, and be intentional in loving God and others. If you couldn't think of anything to write down anything in your journal, meditate on God’s love for you through the sacrifice of His Son for your sins. Talk to Him about Jesus’ greatest act of love, for you, and ask Him to help you love Him and others well . . . starting today.
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