Humility and Strength

A few weeks ago, I was upset with my husband. We really hadn't had some time to talk it out, and for me, that is really vital to resolving conflict. So, I was sitting on some anger and disappointment for a few days. At a meeting, a couple friends asked how I was. I said I was working through being mad at my husband. I didn't think much of the conversations; however, two of the people came back to me to say that they appreciated my honesty and transparency. My sharing gave them some confidence that they are normal and some hope that they can work through things as well. Once again, I didn't really think much about it at the time.

Then this past week, I've discovered a few friends have walked away from God, and the results have hurt my heart. In all the situations, deception and lack of transparency have significantly contributed to the problem. The maintenance of the appearance of normalcy has isolated each person from the love and support available to them; the consequences have been disastrous.

So, I've been thinking about those conversations, a lot. I've been thanking God for the gift of repentance. I've been thanking Him for the tenacity within me to be open with people. Thank you for the grace of Jesus in my life that is His gift. Kingdom thinking is an Opposite World. We think that we should appear as if we "have it all together”; Kingdom thinking is, "here are my weakness and my struggles". Our thinking produces isolation and dishonesty, because, no one has it all together, and we don't want to be around people who do. Kingdom thinking endears us to people who are attracted by humility, and are encouraged by feeling like they can identify and connect with someone else.

This is God's love for us—vulnerability can bring us protection; humility, strength.