Guide Your Mind-Guard Your Heart-Grace Your Tongueনমুনা

As human beings, we all have the ability to either accept or reject another person; we show our acceptance by the words that we speak, as well as by our actions. Actually, the longing to simply be accepted is one of the deepest human desires. We yearn for God to accept us just the way we are, and we desper­ately hope that the Lord is filled with mercy and compassion toward our weaknesses and failures. 

Just as I long for God to accept me and to extend lovingkindness and mercy to me at my very worst moments, I need to frequently remind myself that unconditional acceptance is what others long to receive from me, as well. The people in my family, at my workplace, and in my group of friends simply desire to be accepted, to be shown forgiveness even when they don’t deserve it, and to be extended compassion and grace. What a glorious and beautiful gift acceptance can be! 

Remember, when we accept each other, we bring glory to God the Father! I believe that God strategically places trou­blesome and problematic people in our lives to strengthen our love muscle. He knows that there are certain people who need more of Jesus, and so He trusts you to minister to their unstable lives. 

Acceptance is the foundational emotion of our relationship with Jesus, and it governs all of our relationships with other people. Always remember, with joyful anticipation, that your kind acceptance of a challenging person in your life may be all it takes to lead him or her to Jesus.

Personal Application: How does your soul respond to troublesome or difficult people, as opposed to your spirit? In what way will you direct your spirit to control your soul under such conditions?