Unglued: Skewed Perspective

Philippians 4:4-5 NIV84
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

I have been struggling with what to write about this week's chapters.  There were some tough "ouch" moments for me.  I very much identified with some of Lysa's confessional anecdotes, all the while thinking "wow, yeah I feel that way/act that way/think that way.

I have not been gifted with any significant amount of gentleness either.  I jokingly comment to friends that compassion is NOT my spiritual gift.  Joking, and yet really not so much.  It's true.  Oh I can be compassionate, and I feel sympathy for others in painful situations or struggling with difficult circumstances.  But when it comes to someone whining or complaining about a situation that they have the power to change, but they just won't - yeah, I'm the one thinking "Just suck it up and deal already.  Either do something to change your situation or stop gritching about it."  Not so gentle.

And yet, I sometimes find myself whining, muttering to myself, about some small slight or some situation that just seems, to quote my 6 year old granddaughter, "NO FAIR!"  And honestly, at those times my perspective is totally focused on me.  I will grumble my frustration and bitterness, mostly inside my own head, until it is all blown out of proportion and more likely than not eventually I end up in the self-talk that says I am a loser, no one wants to be my friend, no one listens to me, no one really cares about anything I have to say, blah blah blah.

Am I rejoicing?  Not in the least.  Am I letting "my" gentleness be seen?  Not likely.  Am I grateful for all the blessings God has poured into my life?  Yes, but I'm not acting like it at these times.

Lysa's challenge in Chapter 8, to find an avenue to regain some perspective about what is important, to remind me to have gratitude for all I have, has resonated with me.  I think often about volunteering, about serving, about finding a way to make a small difference for the vast population of people who are hurting and lost and hungry and living in impossible situations.  But I never seem to get off my pockets and DO something about it.  My husband and I have been talking a lot recently about this very topic, and we have both agreed that it is important for us to find a way to serve in our community in some way beyond just giving money.

My prayer is that in accepting this challenge, I will find perspective that will help me show what gentleness there is in me, and that God will cultivate an increase in that gentle spirit that we are exhorted to show.  I know I cannot do it alone - I just don't have it in me.  But I have HIM in me, and he can do all things, and greater things, than I can ever dream.  It's all in the perspective.