Rick Warren's Blog, page 652

How to Give Grace to the Irritable

“A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.” (Proverbs 19:11 NIV)

When you’re dealing with people who are offensive or irritating, you need to look past the behavior to the pain. Because everything we do is motivated by something. When people are hurting others, it’s because they’re hurting on the inside. Hurt people hurt people.

An Antidote to People-pleasing

“Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” (Luke 9:26 NIV)

One day, you’ll give an account of your life before God. When you keep that in mind and have that kind of long-term thinking, it’s going to change what you say, what you do, and who you try to impress. It’s the people-pleaser antidote.

People Pleasing Is Idolatry

“I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.” (Galatians 1:10 NLT)

In life, you only have to please one person. And that is your Creator. You only have to please the Lord, the one who made you and has a purpose for your life.

Personalize God’s Word to Change Your Life

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” (Philippians 1:6 NLT)

God’s Word will never change your life until you let it become personal. It’s not about your neighbor, your friend, your spouse, or the stranger down the street. God’s Word must be applied to your life. The Bible won’t become dynamic until it becomes specific.

Remember the Best, Forget the Rest

“I thank my God every time I remember you.” (Philippians 1:3 NIV)

What do you remember about people — the good experiences or the bad experiences? The apostle Paul said, “I like to remember the good things about people, focus on the good times we’ve had, and remember the positive experiences.”

God Will Settle the Score

“Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it.” (1 Peter 3:9 NLT)

Nothing crushes the spirit more than abuse — to feel devalued, unimportant, and misused. Jesus knows that. And he says, “I will care for you.”

God Wants To Give You Freedom

“If the Son sets you free, then you will be really free.” (John 8:36 TEV)

The world defines freedom as a life without any restraint — “I can do anything I want to do and say anything I want to say without anybody telling me what to do.” You may burn everybody else, but you get to do it your own way. The world says you can have your freedom, but only by being totally selfish.

The Abuse Epidemic: Silent No More

“I said ... ‘I will not say anything while evil people are near.’ I kept quiet, not saying a word.... But my suffering only grew worse, and I was overcome with anxiety. The more I thought, the more troubled I became; I could not keep from asking: ‘Lord, how long will I live? When will I die? Tell me how soon my life will end.’” (Psalm 39:1-4 GNT)

The first step in breaking free from abuse, whether it’s sexual or physical or verbal or emotional, is sharing with someone who can help you break free.

Good Relationships Take Time

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17 (NIV)

Good relationships take time. They don’t happen by accident. They take cultivation, work, and time to build a deep connection with somebody. That requires commitment.

Love People From the Heart

“It is right for me to feel this way about all of you since I have you in my heart.” Philippians 1:7 (NIV)

I’ve discovered that if people are not on my heart, they’re on my nerves. If you don’t have your kids in your heart, they get on your nerves. If you don’t have your husband in your heart, he gets on your nerves.