Does who we are and who we become, need to depend on people, circumstances and situations?

Does who we are and who we become, need to depend on people, circumstances and situations? 

We can safely say that,  situations,  circumstances  and what people say and do to us, shape us in one way or another to a certain degree. 

Eggs, potatoes and coffee beans which are put in the same container of water and boiled to 100°C will each turn out different.  The eggs will harden, the potatoes will become soft and the coffee beans will exude a sweet and aromatic coffee fragrance.  

It is how we respond to each situation that changes us. I am talking about mature adults here, not children. Yet, can anyone stay resilient under adverse situations?

Children who do not know right from wrong and who are not mature yet will either break or their hearts will become hardened when placed under horrible and terrible situations. What about adults?

Every human being born in this world has God's moral compass embedded in our hearts. When we reach the age of reasoning we will be able to make right or wrong choices. Because God has written His moral laws on every human being's heart, no one in this world is exempt from making the right choices. We will be held accountable for each choice we make, by our Creator God, on the day of judgement.

Yet, can we make right choices all the time alone? Even if we make the right choices to stay resilient in the exterior, what does that do to our hearts and minds? Can we bring ourselves to love and pray for those who hurt us badly? Or do we say, "Yes, I did not let that situation impact me in a negative way.  I am just walking away from that person who hurt me. I want to stay positive."

The world teaches us that, in the guise of staying positive. "Listen to your heart!" "Walk away from negative people!" "They do not deserve you if they don't treat you well!"—says the world.  

What does  Jesus teach us and want us to do? As Christians we must operate by God's standards, not the world's. We Christians will be judged by the standards of Jesus when we die.

Ok let's just say we walk away as the world teaches. Then what happens to the turmoil in our hearts? How do we deal with it when it plays in our mind, when things trigger it or when we by chance meet those who hurt us? How do we react then? Do we stay hostile, ignore them and walk away? Can we bring ourselves to say, "Hello, how have you been," with a smile? Or even if we say that so as to appear unaffected by what they did to us in the past, before people who are observing us, would that be genuine? What happens inside our heart and mind at that moment?

Come on. Let us be realistic. It is hard,to forgive someone who mars our reputation before the whole world, when we are innocent, let alone smile and greet them as if nothing happened. It is hard to smile and be normal around someone who constantly misunderstands our actions and motives.

So let me ask once again, "How do we change as a person, both insside and outside when people,  circumstances and situations hurt us badly? Do we allow exterior circumstances and people to change our character and who we are?"

We are mere human beings who struggle to do right many times. We think we can do it by ourselves but in truth we cannot. We need God's grace. We need His empowerment to do what is right. 

As Christians we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. He wants to help us. If we cooperate with Him, we will allow Him to shape us into the image of Christ instead of letting the situation, circumstance and what people say or do to us, change us. Many times He will do it by changing us from the inside out and our attitude toward others. 

Only He has the power to bring out the sweet fragrance of Christ from our inner-selves when we are crushed, boiled, roasted and toasted by what happens to us.

Only He has the power to remove the hurt and bitterness that has filled our hearts and minds and wipe it out without a trace.

Only He has the power to help us forgive,  love and pray for those who hurt us cruely.

When we are in Christ Jesus, our identity need not change because of others or circumstances.  We can be resilient and exude the fragrance of Christ both from the inside and outside when we abide in Christ Jesus. 

Therefore today, let us humbly bow down before God, repent for the times we allowed circumstances,  situations and what others said and did, to shape us.  Then let's humbly ask the Holy Spirit to transform us with His mighty power.

Prayer.

Father God, we are so sorry that in our lives, we have reacted in worldly ways to many situations and circumstances. We have reacted in ungodly ways when people hurt us with their words and actions. We keep giving excuses for our reactions. Help us live by Your standards and not the world's.  Help us to love others as ourselves and put You first above all. We make our prayer in Jesus precious name.  

Amen 🙏🔥🔥🔥

God bless you dear Brethren. 🙌

Have an amazing Sunday!💖

Mary Augustine ✍️ 🌹