Out of the Chaos
Inspiration for living outside of the chaos.
It matters how we treat others.
It is so easy to forget about others when our own toes have been stepped on. And in the process of taking care of our toes, we jump and stomp all over others.
Maybe you don’t, but I know I do. There is a short phrase from 1 Corinthians 13 that rings through my ears on daily basis. Verse 5 says, “…(love)…it is not irritable, it keeps no record of wrongs.” That’s the part that keeps coming back to me. I am tempted to keep a record. You know – small slights, charged responses, ambigious phrases. And then I remember the short phrase above and I pause.
Pause to remember that it matters how we treat others. In this short letter to the Philippians, Paul reminded them over and over again that it matters. He encouraged them to take the high road.
Read: Philippians 2:1-4; 14-15
I know it’s difficult, but it’s the only way that leads to joy and peace. Paul provides a key tactic in chapter four. Here it is:
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Philippians 4:8
You are what you think. Fixing your thoughts on what is honorable and true, produces positive fruit in your life. Fixing your thoughts on failures and slights produces negative fruit. Again, it’s your choice. Choose well.
Out of the Chaos 
Recently, we had a march in town as “all men are pigs.” On that day, yours truly as well as a few guys known to be gentlemen, were embarrassed and berated in public. Maybe the animals causing the mayhem escaped from the vegan feedlot. I almost mistook them for ladies BUT if they were better behaved, guys like myself would’ve jumped to open doors for them or carry their groceries. Behaviour defines.
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For sure! Sounds like you have a great opportunity to “keep no record of wrongs”! Thanks for reading!
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Oh, I can wallow in frustration, anger, self-pity and construct portable nukes…..have to fight the urge 😳
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It’s so easy to go there but the only one your hurt is yourself. I encourage you to try to Philippians 4:8 your thinking!
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After several strokes, my centre for inhibitions is physically damaged. It is by grace alone that I could turn around and walk away from an ‘itch who interfered as a third party. Oh, these hillhangers are so entitled.
Back in the day, I had a scripture for every occasion. Nasty little blood clots obliterated that.
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So sorry!
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No worries, not in a wheelchair and still breathing 🤗
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