Thinking About Others

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THINKING ABOUT OTHERS

People are going to disappoint us. It just happens. We are human. We can’t change them but we can change what we expect of them. We can change our attitudes about them. There is a saying about not allowing anyone to steal our joy. That is so true. The nay-sayers, the braggers, and those who do things to make us feel left out. All of these people could easily steal our joy…if we let them. Rather than allow our thinking to be controlled by the actions of others, let’s choose to be happy. We can seek ways to encourage them, thank God for them, and love them as Jesus does.

SCRIPTURE: 1 John 3:16, 18 “We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters…Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” (NLT)

ACTION STEPS:
1. Write ways you allow others to steal your joy.
2. List the things God tells you to do to encourage and love them.
3. Know God wants to help you share His love with others.
4. Seek ways to love others despite what they do and not let them steal your joy.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, we know we are nothing without You. Yet we continue to allow others to control our thinking rather than focus on You. We allow their words and actions to control our emotions. Help us remember we are here to support and encourage others no matter how they make us feel. Show us how to love others as Jesus loves us. Help us experience Your love through Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

REMEMBER:
Rather than letting people get on our nerves, let’s pray for them.

“If I want to get people off my nerves, I’ve got to put them on my heart.” Rick Warren

No matter what others think of us, it shouldn't control what we think about them. We should always love them as Jesus loves us.

Philippians 1:28 “Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. (NLT)

We are to love others as Jesus loves us. He didn’t wait for us to be perfect before He started loving us.

FOCUS: John 15:12-13 “This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (NLT)

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