Doing what the Word of God reveals means that I truly heard its meaning and allowed it to take root in my heart.

Receiving it with meekness because of its power to save me, I have a whole different attitude toward listening to its timeless wisdom.

For a few years now, I have been working through a desperate struggle from my past, namely not feeling part of the “in” crowd. Maybe it started in grade school when I was always last to be picked for PE games. 🧐

Wherever this “inability to measure up” came from, I know that it’s driven me to strive extra hard in developing a team camaraderie wherever I am (at home, at work, in ministry). At times, I still feel left out. It becomes more than just a feeling when it affects my health, both physically and mentally. (aka perfectionist)

Ultimately, negative feelings may cause a cascade of bad emotion such as anger turned inward. “Why did I make that mistake”? or “I should not have listened to …”.

The passage below helped me to “hear” God’s heart. That is, if I take “right actions” vs. walk away and forget the truth, then I will be saved from self-anger. Lord, I realize that how you see me is pure love!! Help me to align my actions based on the truth in your Word.

I experienced three amazing blessings yesterday, yet I was surprised to wake up again today, “just not sure”. #amIlovedbytheFather

Your righteousness, Lord, is fully shining…my challenge is…letting the warmth of your love in! -Teresa #whatactionwillsetmefree? #listenup

James 1: 19-25 (ESV)
¹⁹ Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;²⁰ for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. ²¹ Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

²² But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. ²³ For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. ²⁴ For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. ²⁵ But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.