Lesson taught: Lesson learned

 Soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, a few days ago I was in a convo with a brother that I've been walking with for a minute, who is currently in a raw place, he's facing a lot of difficult stuff right now and it's been a hard and bumpy road for him. As he was venting his frustration and feelings to a brother who "should" have been understanding I got frustrated and irritated with him. My mind frame was MAN UP! God put you into this situation for a reason, pull up your panties and go hard or go home! I even threw some Bible principles at him, and at that time he was like, Israel I don't want to hear that! And I had an attitude like it's the truth (which it is) you need to. Needless to say that convo ended with me feeling like he needed to get over himself and pass this stuff.

Well, it's funny how our God has a sense of humor! Lately, as I've been in a place of depletion I've been struggling, especially with carrying a heavier load being that my wife has been sick on bedrest. I've been up at 6am and down at 12am with what seems to be little to no rest in between (Atleast it feels that way!). And it's been harder with me being at work and going in a 6pm (10pm on mondays!) Well, today was a loooooong day, I was up at 7am and didn't have to be to work until around 9:30pm and I was irate over that. I was mad at the world, I just wanted my day to be OVER!

So, I was giving my wife and everyone else (including God) attitude because of the fit I was having. I went into work and was just mad! I didn't want to think about all the good, just, noble, honorable, and peaceable things. I wanted to soak in my misery. And as I was talking to God I felt him say, Ronnie was in this place the other day and you had no sympathy or understanding. And a scripture popped into my head:

Galatians 6:1

"Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted."

And I went to it and the principle within this text humbled me! It's not that Ronnie was caught in a sin, he was just struggling with seeing 20/20, but I wasn't dealing with him in gentleness and lo and behold I find myself in his shoes 1 day later! It's a principle to deal with people in a spirit of gentleness and to watch yourself because you never know when or if you will be right where they are! Again, I was floored and I recieved that lesson from God, and at recieveng that my mood began to change and lighten up.

Although not all the way out I was progressing, when my wife texted me and asked how I was doing. So I told her I was better and I explained to her what was going on with me. So, she sent me a text back like I love you and I'm praying for you. And honestly, I didn't want to hear the "religious" stuff! I just didn't want to hear that! So I responded, ok. And she responded, "A I love you back would have been nice." So I texted her back and said to her that I was still aggy and really wasn't in the mood. And she respondd back it's ok, I understand. I have my days too.

That statement bought a smile to my face and joy to my heart! That was the best thing she could have said and she doesn't even know it! (Well, now she does! lol). But that ministered to me, more than her saying I'm praying for you. God blessed me through that! I needed and wanted understanding, not someone to beat me up with scripture or to get "spiritual" on me. And that's exactly what Ronnie needed the other day. But I got all "deep" on him.

Well, it was a lesson taught and a lesson learned! God used my junk to teach me a invaluable true. I'm thankful for tonight, and as I'm thinking now I'm reminded of another scripture from Hebrews 4:15,

" For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin"

Jesus doesn't just smack us with stuff that's too deep, he sympathizes with us and our weaknesses and gives us what we need. He didn't tell me tonight to MAN UP and pull my panties up! He ministered to me in gentleness and in a way that I could receive it. Thank You Lord for that!

So, what about you? Are you like I was to Ronnie? Always ready to beat someone with a scripture instead of going to them in gentleness and seeking to understand and/or sympathize with them? Be careful if so, because you might fall into the same snare just as I did!

Until Next Week (Lord willing)

God is Dope,

Israel