Now before you go getting the wrong idea about what this post is about.....
read a bit further!
I came across a verse of scripture twice recently,
as I was actually doing some research on the word "attitude".
When I read this Bible verse,
it seemed that the word "lust" kept jumping out at me.
Besides the obvious definition of lust,
it also simply means.....
an intense longing;
a strong desire for something.
(not necessarily someone)
I felt God speaking to me about my own intense longing for acceptance, acknowledgement, encouragement and understanding. These are things that I way too often expect from other people when in truth only God can satisfy those desires. He's the only One who can fill that void that I sometimes feel inside.
Titus 3:3
"slaves to many lusts"
"lives full of evil and envy"
Colossians 3:5
"put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you"
Mark 7:20
"it is what comes from inside that defiles you"
What about you all?
Do you sometimes find yourself having too high an expectation out of others?
Maybe even after it's been proven many times over that they aren't willing to budge an inch?
Or, are you (unlike me) able to just give it all to God and let Him supply your every longing?
Breathing in Grace,
This was a breat of fresh air! Thanks, Deb.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by and commenting, Ms. Sandi!
DeleteGreat post today Deb. Sometimes I do find myself expecting WAY more than I should from others to be truthful. I expect them to act a certain way, talk a certain way, do things a certain way and then about the time I get going really good on my high horse....the Lord zaps me back with...TAKE CARE OF YOUR OWN WAYS of doing, acting and talking and I'll take care of others. WOW...He has such a way of getting to me at times. But truthfully I think deep down if we would admit it...we all long to be accepted and wanted by others. The thing is..."others" long for the same thing too...they may just not show it at times. I know that my worth is based on Christ and Christ alone there is no doubt. And I tried for many years to live up to the expectations of others till finally the Lord spoke to my spirit one day---many years ago...(another story) and simply said...LIVE FOR ME and measure yourself by MY measuring stick and no one else! I could write a book on this today my friend. Good post! Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteYou'll never know how much I appreciate your thoughts. I've heard it said that rejection is the worst of all human emotions. I so agree. Thanks again, sweet Friend.
DeleteMy blogging friend, Ms. Melanie left this comment. It showed up in an e-mail and I hit "publish", but don't know where it went. I have to remind myself, too, Ms. Melanie that my self-worth is in Christ, not other's opinions, or acknowledgement! Thanks for your insight!
ReplyDeleteJust a wonderful post, Deb. I think my highest expectations are to myself and so, I feel like I'm constantly not meeting up to my own expectations. I also put expectations on others that they can't always fill and then can come the rejection. God is the only One who can be the "all in all and everything" that I need and want - but I have to frequently remind myself of that.
Deb, I spent too many years expecting too much from others. I don't know why I was like that, maybe because I've always given 100% of myself to any situation and expected others to do the same. Over many years of just living life I finally realized it wasn't so much that I expected others to give so much, I expected them to give 'my way.' Looking back I can see where they were giving their 100%, they just weren't doing it the way I would have. I'm sure not proud of this and I'm so glad that somewhere along the way the Lord opened my eyes to what I was doing. Sometimes I still struggle with this but not very often anymore because I have seen this fault in myself, by God's grace, and stop short before it gets out of hand. I thank Him for changing my path. Thank you for this post, I hope it helps others that might find their selves doing the some thing. ((hugs))
ReplyDeleteYou're so much more mature in your faith than I am, Ms. Mary. :( The person I expect the most from is the one who isn't willing to even listen. It's so sad and frustrating and I'm about at the end of my rope. Prayers appreciated.
Delete"...longing for acceptance, acknowledgement, encouragement and understanding."
ReplyDeleteYou're so right, Deb. These are good things, but the pursuit of them trips a lot of us up.