Rick Warren's Blog, page 654

Do You Need a Heart Transplant?

“The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that.” (Proverbs 29:25 MSG)

If you’re going to get control of anger in your life, you must base your identity on Jesus, understanding that he loves you unconditionally, that you are his, that you are valuable, and that he has a purpose and plan for your life.

Anger Yields Anger, Wisdom Yields Patience

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

Hurt people hurt people. When someone hurts you, it’s because they’ve been hurt. Unkind people have never felt kindness. Unloving people feel unloved. When someone is rude, bitter, unkind, sarcastic, mean spirited, or arrogant, they are shouting with all of their behaviors, “I am in pain! I need massive doses of love! I do not feel secure!”

Before You Retaliate, Calculate the Cost

People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.” (Proverbs 14:29 NLT)

You’re less likely to get angry when somebody’s pushing your buttons if you realize there’s always a price for returning anger for anger.

Help Each Other with Your Faith

In authentic Christian fellowship, people should experience a mutual dependency. This mutuality is the art of giving and receiving; it’s depending on each other.

Wise People Consider Other People’s Feelings

“The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17 NIV)

Two of the biggest mistakes we make in relationships are when we react to what people say and not how they feel — or when we invalidate someone else’s feelings because we don’t feel that way ourselves.

Three Ways to Stay in Conflict

“Any fool can start arguments; the honorable thing is to stay out of them.” (Proverbs 20:3 TEV)

Wise people are peacemakers, not troublemakers. Wise people don’t carry a chip on their shoulder. They’re not always looking for a fight, and they don’t intentionally antagonize other people.

Faith, Not Feelings, Pleases God

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.” (Job 1:21 NIV)

When you are a baby Christian, God gives you a lot of confirming emotions and often answers the most immature, self-centered prayers — so you’ll know he exists. But as you grow in faith, he will wean you of these dependencies.

Settle Your Destiny

“For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.” (Hebrews 2:14-15 NLT)

One of the things Jesus came to Earth to do is take away your fear of death. How? By dying on the cross and being resurrected to show that there is life after death. The Bible says in Hebrews 2:14-15, “For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying” (NLT).

Small, Thoughtful Gestures Make a Big Difference

“Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14 NLT)

When you’re ministering to a friend who is dying, you should give your physical presence to your friend but also give practical assistance. What does that mean? It means you do whatever needs done to help your friend, and you also help in small but practical ways.

To Comfort the Dying, First Conquer Your Fears

“No one can live forever; all will die. No one can escape the power of the grave.” (Psalm 89:48 NLT)

Before you can help anybody who is facing death, you’ve got to deal with the fears in your own life.