3 Ways We Own Our Responses to Others

What if we could gain more control of our responses? And what if we could really take ownership of how we respond to others?

Because when we own our response, we bless others through our self-control. 

Even though I was a communication major in college, I’ve messed up many times in how I’ve responded to others in various situations—big time.

What’s even harder is to take ownership of a not-so-good response.

To really own it and take responsibility for it.

Like apologizing for what we said or how we said it or both.

Blessed responses and ownership takes practice and guidance from God, but it can be done well.

Whether it’s with our spouses, children, extended family, friends or co-workers, we often respond in either inappropriate ways or at the inopportune time.

You know that saying, “Open mouth and insert foot?” I’ve been there before. Maybe you have, too.

We all have times we let our mouths run ahead of us. Or, we think we must say the first thing that pops into our head. Or, we assume we are right and the other person is clearly wrong. 

But we can’t physically see or determine what is going on behind the scenes—what underlying issues may contribute to the other person’s words and responses.

So let’s unpack three ways to own our responses. 

1. Realize we only control our responses.

We can’t control the words or responses of others; we can only control our response through help from the Holy Spirit.

Our God is Good and Holy and Loving and Just

Do you hear people separating how God is good from His holiness? Or celebrating His love but not His justice?

During college, I worked at a jewelry store in a local mall. So I learned the cuts and facets of diamonds and other gems.

The multi-faceted parts of these stones make each one brilliant and stunning.

In the same way, our heavenly Father bears many characteristics.

But we often only focus on the feel-good parts of His character. Like how our Father is good and loving, but not how He is also holy and just.

Yet, all the attributes of the Lord working together are what make Him God. Each fascinating facet of the Almighty makes His glory brilliant and stunning.

When we practice separating His goodness from His holiness or His love from His justice, we lose the full nature of our heavenly Father. 

In essence, we detach who He is from what He does. But the two are one and the same. 

Our God: Good and Holy

Good and loving and holy and just are not only who the Lord is, but also what He does! 

Your Life is Worth the Cross

If you were the only person on earth, Jesus would have come and died on the cross for you.

Because your life is worth the cross. 

Still, it’s easy to believe things that are not true.

Like God loves others but not me.

Or it’s hard to make the cross and empty tomb personal—Jesus suffered, died, and rose from the dead all for me. 

Say this quietly in your heart or out loud:

My life is worth the cross. 

This is how much God loves you and me.

Yes, Christ came for the whole world, but He also came for you.

Think about that, meditate on it in your heart. 

Let’s look at supporting scriptures.

(1.)  Jesus loved you so much, He died for you: Worth the Cross.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (ESV) 

Read John 3:16 again, inserting your name in place of “world” to make it personal. 

1 John 4:19 says, “We love because he first loved us” (ESV).

God created love and demonstrated love on Calvary’s cross through His Son—a show-and-tell affection.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me and Your provision of grace through Your Son. Help me to believe and know it was for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

(2.)  Jesus took on your sin and spilled His blood to redeem you.

Why Spiritual Hindsight is Always 20/20

Have you heard the saying, Hindsight is 20/20? 

Growing up, my vision was always great, until it wasn’t. Years ago, I lost distance vision from working at a computer for my job. An eye doctor explained how vision we no longer use, we lose.

Our eyes make the adjustment, Oh, this is the distance you’re going to see.

Now, I’m near sighted and have glasses for when I need to see far away. 

Often, the same holds true in spiritual vision. We wish we could see what God’s doing in our life—how He’s working for our good. 

So we lose spiritual vision because we fail to use it, we fail to trust God is God and on His throne. And we become near sighted, only putting our faith in God when we can actually see His works come to fruition. 

But the people mentioned in the Hall of Faith, Hebrews 11, believed God would fulfill His promises even though many of them never “saw” these promises come to pass. 

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

“Assurance about what we do not see” is the hardest part. 

Maybe I can’t see things at a distance, but my faith eyes can have full assurance in God for on down the road and into the future.

Spiritual Hindsight Helps Us Trust God

Spiritual hindsight is how I’ve learned to trust God. And it’s always 20/20.

The ABC’s for Life in Christ

Sometimes we lose sight of our life in Christ. But these elements of Christianity set us apart from the world and other religions.

Because they are essential to help us grow in our relationship with Christ. And the spiritual tools we need to live as a believer.

So, here are the ABC’s for a life in Christ.

Life in Christ: Abide

Abide in Christ. “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” John 15:5, ESV.

Believe God. Believe what God says and who He is. Because when the journey turns bumpy, our Christian beliefs carry us over life’s potholes. “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness” Romans 4:3b, NIV.

Confess. Confess our sin against God, own it, and take responsibility for when we go in the wrong direction. Because sometimes we fall into sin or we fail to walk in the direction God instructed (Proverbs 28:13 and James 4:17).

Declare God’s glory and works. We declare His glory and works to others and ourselves. In other words, preach it. Then preach it to the choir. “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!” Psalm 96:3, ESV.

Encourage other believers. “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up” 1 Thessalonians 5:11, NIV.

Forget what’s behind. Looking back on our life may help us move forward. But Jesus never intended for the past to paralyze us (Philippians 3:13-14).

Hope in the Hope-Giver

Give all. We give our heart and life to Jesus. Yet, it never ends there. Giving Christ everything: our cares, desires, goals, and relationships (1 Peter 5:7, Romans 12:1).

Not Leaning on Our Own Understanding

“Our limited understanding can lead us astray.”

~ Beckie Lindsey

My beautiful writing friend, Beckie, passed away recently after a long battle with ovarian cancer. I initially met her at a Christian writers conference and we stayed connected. And we wrote guest posts for each other’s blog sites. Beckie penned this amazing article I’m sharing with you this week.

By Beckie Lindsey

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

This passage in Proverbs tells us if we trust in the Lord, we cannot also depend upon our own ability to understand everything God is doing.

However, most of us have a desperate desire to understand.

And yet in so many areas, we must acknowledge we cannot always understand. It’s often frustrating and sometimes downright infuriating. 

The tension that we feel from our limited understanding is eased by a further look into Scripture. Here are a few reasons we are not to lean on our own understanding but rest in God’s:

Not Leaning: We don’t have a clear picture, but God does. 

Unbelievable: Every Spiritual Blessing in Christ

Don’t miss this: there are unbelievable spiritual blessings for those of us in Christ. And these blessings are straight from heavenly places.

I’ve formed a word-habit in my online replies. I throw out the word over and over again.

Blessings! Thanks and blessings! I pray blessings over your ministry. Blessings to you and your family! God bless! 

See what I mean? I quite overuse the word.

But do I realize what’s behind the well wishes? And do I give consider how unbelievable my blessings are in Christ?

Unbelievable: Vast Blessings

We’ve heard it said to count our blessings. 

But if we look at the shocking amount of blessings God extends to us, they are hard to number.

Of course, we all count ourselves blessed with family and friends. Also, blessed in how God provides for our daily needs.

And who’s not giving grateful these days for the blessing of health? I pray to never take a healthy body for granted. Or, the physical well-being of my spouse, children, grandchildren, and all my loved ones.

But there are times we forget, even as Christ-followers. So we need reminding of the vast blessings from a gracious God, too numerous to even count. Unbelievalbe blessings.

Blessed is Our Generous God

For example, take the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Church at Ephesus. After he greets the saints who were faithful in Christ, he says this.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us IN Christ with EVERY spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 1:3 (ESV)

I’m an Average Girl With an Above Average God

There’s something I want you to know. I’m just an average girl with an above average God. He’s the one true God. The Almighty.

We use the terms “average” and “above average” when talking about test scores, skill level, talents, workmanship, food, and more.

So I’m thankful the Lord takes ordinary people and transforms us from the inside out.

Because the Lord always meant for us to connect who we are with whose we are.

Our identity lies in the Father, we belong to Him.

Still, we likely cannot list all the wonderful and amazing attributes about the Lord, but let’s discuss some of these characteristics.

Above Average God

God’s glory cannot be mistaken. He’s God. Mighty. Powerful. Majestic. Holy. Eternal. Infinite. Wise. Faithful.

“For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and he is to be feared above all gods.” 1 Chronicles 16:25 (ESV)

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” Isaiah 6:3 (NIV)

The one true God. He’s living, Creator, sovereign, in control, majestic, loving, Judge, Most High, reigning King, light, magnificent, good, and merciful.

“So that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting people may know there is none besides me. I am the Lord, and there is no other.” Isaiah 45:6 (ESV)

“God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne.” Psalm 47:8 (ESV)

From the Desert to the Promised Land With God

Desert experiences are no respecter of persons.

And this includes God’s people as long as we live on the earth.

But God provides in every way, in every desert we travel through. Like He did for the children of Israel.

Perhaps great loss transported us smack dab in the middle of a desert.

Maybe a job and income loss. A loved one passed away or a natural disaster took everything from us. Or the loss of a lifelong dream.

Further, we catapult into a desolate wasteland during prolonged illness of ourselves or a family member. Also during depression, traumatic circumstances, difficult relationships, and more.

God leads us from the desert to the Promised Land.

God Guides Our Steps in the Desert

We often stumble and wander with no certain direction of how to navigate our wasteland. So, we need help from on High—from our compassionate God.  

“Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105 (ESV)

God provided a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to guide the Israelites in the desert (Exodus 13). His Word will always guide our feet and path. We pray for wisdom and direction and we seek God’s face and the Scriptures.

“And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” Isaiah 30:21 (ESV)

God Makes a Way

5 Steps to an Unstoppable Faith

I have faith. Until I don’t. Because when the world seems uncertain and hard circumstances come my way, my faith is anything but unstoppable.

As Christians, we often teeter between standing on a firm faith in God and sinking in the quicksand of doubt.  

But the Christian journey necessitates an unstoppable faith.

So I’m learning a firm and unrelenting faith is what God desires for His people. 

Yet, we often hesitate in our confidence in the Lord and His promises. Still, look at how Hebrews describes faith.

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

Faith is not a receive-it-all-at-once deal.

Because the confidence in what we hope for and the assurance about what we do not see, grows and strengthens while we live out our Christian lives on this earth. 

Here are 5 steps to an unstoppable F-A-I-T-H:

F – Find God faithful: Unstoppable Faith

We come to God in faith, believing He is Creator and Lord, and accepting His salvation by faith through Jesus Christ. This faith continues in our life as we find God faithful and learn He always fulfills His promises.