Give it to Jesus

I come home from work feeling sorrowful and possessing a boatload of self-pity for actions I've elected to partake in which are not in my character normally.  I have let my emotions get the best of me and an uncontrolled attitude was the result.  In other words, I screwed up and allowed myself to be someone I'm not.  More importantly, I forgot to give my emotions over to Jesus and let Him take control.  As Carrie Underwood would say, "Jesus, take the wheel" which I have neglected to do in a particular situation.

How can I do this?  How can a person of faith, not remember to give Him control?  Sure, I pray and I read devotionals and scripture, but in this particular set of circumstances, I have not given my heart to Him.  That was then, this is now. 

My husband, bless his heart, reminded me to "give it to Jesus".  He reminded me to choose faith and Him and the rest will fall into place.  Jim is such an astonishing person who possesses a beautiful heart of glory, love and kindness.  He told me, I need to keep a prayer with me, so in times of need, I can refer back to that prayer for comfort and to remind me to talk to Jesus.  To rely on Him.  To trust Him.  To give control to Him. 

Simply after crying and talking to Jim, I feel lighter and I already feel Jesus in my heart.  I feel the warmth.  I know He's there, with me, always. Period. 

I guess what I can take away from some of the emotions I've been feeling is this: faith is a work in progress. I can ALWAYS grow stronger in my faith, I can ALWAYS pray more.  The bottom line is, to keep my faith. Step out in faith.  Trust Him and trust my faith in Him.

I choose..

This is simply a copy of a devotional by Max Lucado shared with my by my mother.  It's wonderful and beautiful and offers guidance that I know I should apply to my own life.

I choose love...
No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.

I choose joy...
I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical...the tool of a lazy thinker.  I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

I choose peace...
I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.

I choose patience...
I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I'll invite him to do so.  Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clinching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

I choose kindness...
I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone.  Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

I choose goodness...
I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast.  I will confess before I will accuse. I choose goodness.

I choose faithfulness...
Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My wife will not question my love. Any my children will never fear that their father will not come home.

I choose gentleness...
Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.

I choose self-control...
I am a spiritual being... After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek His grace.  An then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.