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Do the opposite
Every moment in our lives, and moments are more brief than seconds, we have decisions to be made. These decisions are as tangible and visible as deciding to get out of bed each day, taking a shower, getting dressed, what to wear, eating, drinking or leaving the home, etc. There are less visible choices, too. We can choose to be supportive, encouraging, or pleasant. We can also choose to be difficult, angry, and disappointed in everything we see, touch, hear, smell, or taste.
These choices are ours alone, and have an impact not only on us, but also those around us, our family, our friends, our neighbors, our coworkers, and strangers. How we choose to behave paints a picture of how we are seen by others. If we choose to behave selfishly, pridefully, dismissively and disrespectfully, others see this and are impacted by it. If we choose to behave selflessly, sincerely and respectfully, others see and are impacted by it, as well.
Many times, our choice is opposing what God would have us do. We might not do His will because we are tired, worn out, or feeling down. However, in that very moment, He will do wonderful works through us if we simply get out of His way and allow Him. After all, not doing so is stifling His Holy Spirit and that choice of choosing something other than Him is choosing evil over Him. None of us truly wants to choose that, especially those who know Him, Christ Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
The “Peace Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi” provides a clear picture of the results of choosing opposite behavior.
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace:
Where there is hatred let me so love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
Oh, divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is given that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is dying that we are born to eternal life.
What stands out most in the above prayer for you, pardoning, faith, peace, hope, light, joy? Maybe all of them. The point is a selfless life where we choose to give grace, mercy, love, and compassion away freely as Christ Jesus gives to us freely, His love, power, strength, and will be done.
It may feel natural to not do His will. If so, His will doesn’t cease from being accomplished. It simply separates us from Him. So, make the decision and choose the opposite. Draw nearer to Him, abide in Him, be compassionate like Him, and plant seeds of pardon, faith, peace, hope, light, and joy in the lives of others only He can grow.
Galatians 5:22-26
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let’s follow the Spirit as well. Let’s not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.
