At the age of 40, I realized that I am a “person”
too! In the same way that I minister to the needs of other people that God
brings my way, I can also minister to myself without feeling selfish or
self-centered. Sometimes we sit back and complain because our spouse, our
children, our friends or our parents don’t meet our relational, emotional,
intellectual or even our physical needs. This shifting of blame does not
accomplish anything.
Our soul care is not their responsibility, it is ours
alone! This may not seem like truth to you at first. You may think that this is
a selfish attitude. But, I want to assure you, that if you have not met the
needs in your own spirit, body and soul – mind, will and emotions - then you
will not be able to adequately meet the needs in others. You can only give from
what you have.
Conversely, some people only care about their self.
They are selfish, ambitious and uncaring toward others. This is an entirely
different issue. If this describes you, then you would benefit from realizing
that life is not all about you. If you embrace this truth, it will bring you
enormous relief. This realization opens you up to all types of possibilities
and frees your full potential. It will also improve your relationship with
other people. As you give more love and care for others, they will care for you
and love you more as well.
The Bible tells us to “Love our neighbor as our
self” (Matthew 22:39). If we have not cared for our own needs, we will have no emotional,
mental, physical or spiritual energy to meet the needs in others that God
brings our way. If you do not feed your body, you will have no physical
strength. If you do not feed your spirit, you will have no spiritual direction.
In the same way, if you do not feed your soul, you will have no intellectual or
emotional energy to meet your needs or the needs in others.
If we wait on God, He helps us to meet our needs
in His own way and timing. Learn to laugh, love and appreciate the unique
person God created you to be. Some people feel guilty about allowing others to
minister to their needs. This attitude actually stems either from false pride,
a lack of self-worth or from unforgiveness toward our self. Please realize that
you can accept help from other people, because it comes from God.
We may also feel guilty if we do not meet all the needs of all of the people who come our way. When others ask you to do something for them, if you do not hear God saying, “Yes,” then it is much wiser for you to say, “No.” This is especially true if you are not used to refusing requests. This may take practice! The real issue here is the will of God.
If you do not feel God saying, “Yes,” then please, say, “No.” To do otherwise is disobedience to God! Then you are out of the center of His perfect will for your life and you are frustrating God’s will for that other person too. If God calls us to serve in some position at home, work, church or community, He also grants us the grace to meet these needs. If we find that we regularly lack peace in what is expected of us, then we must seek God’s will about our life. If we are out of His will, He will redirect us by His peace (Philippians 4:7).
Prayer:
Father God, we know we are walking in the center of
Your will if we have Your complete peace within our spirit (Philippians 4:7). When we feel anxiety or any negative emotion,
remind us to stop and pray! Help us to follow the leading of Your Holy Spirit
each moment of the day. When we feel complete peace again, regardless of all
the natural considerations, we will know that we are back in the center of Your
will. Our fulfillment only comes as we live in Your peace.
Thought for the Day:
Follow the Holy Spirit to do God’s will rather than
allowing the compassion of your soul to lead you to meet the needs of those
around you or the obligations you feel are placed on you by your position in
life.
