The Inner-Stances

[rayofsunshine]

The "Inner-Stances"...Everyday Light by Selwyn Hughes

For reading & meditation - 2 Corinthians 4:1-15
""We are handicapped on all sides ... we may be knocked down but we are never knocked out!"" (vv. 8-9, J. B. Phillips)

Why is it that while the same things can happen to us all, they may not have the same effect upon us all? The same thing happening to two different people may have entirely different effects. Why should this be so? It depends not so much on the circumstances, but on the ""inner-stances"" - or, in other words, our inner attitudes. As someone has said, ""What life does to us in the long run depends on what life finds in us."" Life's blows can make some people querulous and bitter, others they sweeten and refine; the same events, but with opposite effects. The Gospels tell us that there were three crosses set up on Calvary on the first Good Friday. The same event happened to three different people, but look at the different results. One thief complained and blamed Jesus for not saving Himself and them; the other thief recognized his own unworthiness, repented of it and found an open door to Paradise. Jesus, of course, saw it as the climax of His earthly achievements and made it the fulcrum on which He moved the world. What counts, therefore, is not so much what happens to us, but what we do with it. The same sunshine falling on two different plants can cause one to wither and die, while the other will blossom and flourish. And why? It all depends on the response the plants make. Although, of course, they both need water, one plant is more suited to hot sunshine than the other, and therefore responds with more life and growth, while the other shrivels up and dies.

Prayer:

Gracious heavenly Father, write this precept upon my heart so that I shall never forget it: it's not so much what happens to me, but what I do with it that is important. Thank You, Father. Amen

For Further Study
2 Cor. 11:21-29; 2 Tim. 4:7; Ps. 37:28; Prov. 2:8
1. What was Paul's testimony?
2. How did he sum up his life?

[cmc]

This is a good reminder that I always have the option to change my attitude when responding to things that are difficult, painful or even positive. I thank God for that choice.

God does His part but I need to do mine. How that works for me is realizing that I need His grace to change and then find some humility to ask and allow Him to change my heart---the 'inner' part described in this devotion.

Any outward change comes only after I do the 'inner' work. I like to call it 'taking out the trash' because it's a perfect analogy of a sometimes ugly job that must be done or it will get uglier. Once I wash my hands, there's nothing like a clean trash can. ;-)

This is just what I needed to keep watch that my attitude, awareness and acceptance line up with God.

[IO Storm]

Second time I heard this principle today..."cleaning house"..and a change of attitude.

A confirmation!

Relying on God for help..

Thanks, Ray and C...