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February: Loving My Peers
I go out of my way to show love toward all my peers (not just my friends).
------------------------------------------------ Week 20 -----------------------------------------------
Read It: Colossians 3:12-14 (click to read online)
Stronghold: Pride
Think On It: by Joyce Blum
If going out of our way to show love toward all those around us requires humility, as we discovered last week, it stands to reason that the thing that gets in our way is pride. A good definition of pride is living only for my own benefit. If I am prideful in my attitude, when I “bump into” those around me, I will not look out for ways to love them; I will only be focused on my needs and my wants. I lose out on the opportunity to have a positive impact in their life. So, how do we put aside this stronghold of pride?
It is a purposeful act – a deliberate choice. The Bible says instead of pride we need to put on the right “clothing.” If we were to go out in a blizzard wearing just shorts and a tee shirt, I would guess most of us would soon be very uncomfortable. However, if we were to go out into that same blizzard with a warm coat, hat, mittens, and boots, we would be much more comfortable and be able to weather the storm. Colossians 3:12-14 tells us that the only way we will be able to love those around us is to put on the right “clothing” – compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. It even tells of how to act toward one another – we are to bear with one another and to forgive each other.
Let’s look at what it means to “bear with one another” for a moment. That word literally means to “put up with.” It is a deliberate choice to put up with a certain person and their “irritating” habits, or whatever it is about them that keeps us from naturally being drawn toward them. Can you think of someone in your peer group you need to “bear” with? Forgiveness is another deliberate choice we make in our relationships – and there is no limit as to how many times we are to forgive those who have hurt us. Forgiveness does not hold grudges or keep lists. Without the ability to bear with one another and forgive one another, we cannot truly love those around us. Pride does not allow us to bear with or forgive others. Do you need to “change your clothes” this week?
Pray about it:
“Father, I am sorry for my pride and how it gets in the way of loving those people you put in my daily life. Help me to put on the right clothing – compassion, humility, gentleness and patience. Help me to bear with others and be quick to forgive. I can only do this with your help, not in my own strength. I ask for your help. Thank you. Amen.”
Act on It:
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Journal the name of someone who “irritates” you. Confess the pride that is getting in the way. Pray for that person. Ask God to show you ways to love that person. Over the next several weeks, make a list next to their name of things you appreciate about them.
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Journal the name of someone you need to forgive. Pray for the situation. Ask a friend to pray with you. Go to that person and ask forgiveness.
Parenting Hints:
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If your child is having issues with a peer that irritates them, have them begin to list the good things they see in that other child. Pray for that other child, thanking God for those good things in their life.
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Teach your child to be quick to ask forgiveness and quick to give forgiveness as situations come up in their relationships at home and with friends. It is a valuable life lesson for them to learn.
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