Getting Along
Responding in LOVE starts with peace.
The rush of everyday life, the pressure of red lights, buzzing phones, messy houses, unanswered emails, and needy people around you are real. But please recognize the peace that is available to you. There is peace in every step. Every thought. Every choice. Every single breath.
Peace is not external, but internal.
The person who loves peace is not desperately waiting for anything to change or using human effort to force an agenda. We cannot directly choose our circumstances but we can choose our thoughts, and so indirectly, yet surely, we will shape our circumstances.
We are very interested in getting along, which means we will invest in peace in our hearts. The more your identity, dignity, and self-worth are in place, the more you will be able to manage to be responsible for yourself and no longer need to blame. Peace and "getting along" starts with you, and then ripples into your relationships as you create an atmosphere of serenity and harmony.
Recognize the breath of God.
God breathed His life into Adam from his very first moment of existence and He continues to breathe His life into us.
Breath is the link between our body and our mind. When we breathe consciously it builds a bridge between the two and we feel whole. In our busy culture, taking time to be still and know that He is God is a worthwhile and valuable investment. Your appointment with life and God is in your present moment.
Wake Up Smiling
Smiling brings happiness, and it’s a precious gift that costs nothing and can change everything. Smiling relaxes hundreds of muscles in your face.
Recently we heard from a listener:
“I started to choose my mood and literally stopped thinking about how my husband was frustrating me. My joy level and thoughts really leveled up as I agreed with God’s opinion. By prioritizing peace, I have begun bursting with joy, and as the highest functioning version of myself, my husband has responded well! I think he loves it that I’m smiling so much! I’m fun, and he’s always ready for fun, so we are living at a “ten” right now! It started with me!
Thinking is important
Thinking is important, however, a lot of our thinking is useless, like a running voice recorder in our heads. Allowing our thoughts to run on default can lead to being obsessed with sorrows, regrets, and even the shortcomings of those around us.
Gal 5:13 “God has called us to live a life of freedom in the Holy Spirit. This isn’t an opportunity to set up a base of operations in the natural realm. Freedom means that we become so completely free of self-indulgence that we become servants of one another, expressing love in all we do.”
Ego (Edging God Out) is very interested in what you do, what people think, what you have acquired, what you have accomplished, and where you live. The Holy Spirit is very interested in Kingdom values, which are righteousness, peace, and joy in the holy spirit.
The Holy Spirit is interested in loving those around you:
in the face of adversity
in the face of criticism
in the face of misunderstanding
When we live that kind of unconditional love - it is true freedom! Our advice for getting along is: Prioritize peace, take time to breathe deeply and smile, and remember that He is God, and we are not. Enjoy your moments, enjoy your days, and look for the beauty and support around you and you will find it.
Hear more about this topic on Episode 133 of All About Relationships Podcast with Bob and Audrey.