Living Half Full

My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. (James 2:1)

Please take time to read James 2 this week and find out what God has for you there.

I’ve read and studied James 2 for a couple of weeks now.  I’ve asked the Lord to show me where I play favorites.  I’ve asked for Him to help me back up my faith with action.  I’m learning more about myself through this chapter and God’s call for me to live a righteous life.

At first glance, James 2:1-13… didn’t resonate with my heart.  But the more I studied it, the more I understood it.  The Lord has shown me where I play favorites.  Honestly, I thought I was fairly good in this area, but a closer look at it made me see I have some work to do in this area as well.  I tend to treat most people equally, but there is one area where I see that I treat people differently.  Or at least this is the one area that God is working on in me, this week.

I tend to show favor towards people who are positive.  I’m a half full, eternal optimist kind of gal.  I tend to look for people who find the good in life and live by it.  I tend to shy away from those who are negative and constantly see the glass as half empty.  I don’t do well with negativity.  Sometimes I find that I’m not very patient and loving towards those who are negative.  I don’t show a great deal of kindness to those who are negative.  Now, honestly the fact that I enjoy positive people is not the problem.  God wants me to hang out with people who are like-minded and sharpen me.

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17)

The problem for me is my attitude towards those who are negative.  I tend to judge those who are negative and I don’t have a lot of patience for them.  Here is how I see it.  I have four options when faced with someone who is negative.

1.  I can give in and be negative right with them.

2.  I can combat it.

3.  I can ignore it.

4.  I can teach people to rise to a higher standard.  I can invite them to a positive place of thinking.

I see that number four is really the only option for me.  I need to be steadfast in my thinking and slowly encourage people to see God’s goodness.  I need to help people experience what positive thinking looks like.  I need to help them think on the things that bring God glory.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)

So now that I’ve confessed my weakness, my area of favoritism…  I would like you to search God’s heart for your area that needs to be worked on.  Do you favor the rich over the poor, do you favor one race over another, do you favor the intellectual over the one who is still learning, do you favor people in leadership positions over people who lead quietly, do you favor the healthy over the unhealthy, or do you favor those who dress well over those who don’t?  Search God’s heart and find out where you are favoring one person over another.  Remember this…

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged.  Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.  Forgive, and you will be forgiven.  Give, and it will be given to you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.  For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:37-38)

Dear Father God, Please show me where I’m giving favor to one person over another.  Please teach me to love my neighbor as myself (Matthew 22:39).  May I always remember that love comes from You and through that love I am able to love others.

Living Half Full,