Just a Moment

Spiritual sweetness does not just happen spontaneously as we age. In fact, I am convinced the older we get the easier it becomes to grow negative and critical.  Many years ago, in a different state, Sue and I had dinner with an older couple from a mutual contact. It was horrible. Honestly, I have never met a man who complained so much – and he was a retired missionary!  The very next day we had dinner with another couple around the same age who were a delight. Positive, sweet and kind.  You’ve heard me say, “Lord, deliver me from growing into a grouchy old man.” 

The difference?  I believe its Phil 4:8. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

“We feel the way we feel for we feel the way we think.”  No, we can’t change our circumstances, but we can change our thinking about those circumstances.  Is God sovereign?  He’s still on the throne?  Hasn’t he made promises to us to work life’s events for our ultimate good?  Yes, our emotions are involved. We can’t turn them off and on as we do a faucet. But we can control our thoughts.  And our emotions will catch up with our thinking.

Beware of social media. It feeds on outrage and biting sarcasm. I love what my friend Jason Helopoulos said, “It takes courage to be gentle, patient and kind in an outraged fallen world.”  May we as God’s servants strive to demonstrate a spiritual sweetness to exude the fragrance of Christ.