Posts Categorized: Forgiving Day-by-Day

Pride That Poisons

Posted October 14, 2013 | Judith Ingram

Scripture

James 4:5-7 (New Living Translation)

What do you think the Scriptures mean when they say that the spirit God has placed within us is filled with envy? But he gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but favors the humble.” So humble yourselves before God.

Consider

Pride is a powerful enemy of healthy relationships.

Its weapon is self-deception—when pride rules us, we fail to see ourselves as we truly are. Pride blinds us to our faults and accentuates our virtues.

Continue reading >>

Share
Comment

Thankful No Matter What

Posted October 7, 2013 | Judith Ingram

Scripture

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (The Living Bible)

Always be joyful. Always keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Consider

When life hits us hard, it’s difficult to be thankful. How much easier it is to throw up our hands and cry out to God, “Why me? Why this?”

In the short passage above, notice that the apostle Paul does not counsel us to begin with thanksgiving. Rather, he encourages us to be joyful, then prayerful, and in the end, thankful.

Continue reading >>

Share
Comment

Peace Worth Seeking

Posted September 30, 2013 | Judith Ingram

Scripture

Psalm 34:14 (New International Version)

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Consider

Peace can be more than the mere absence of conflict or anxiety.

Followers of Christ can enjoy peace in the midst of troubling circumstances because we place our hope in God’s goodness, sovereignty, and unshakable love for us.

• We can seek peace in a troubled relationship because we don’t depend on others to meet our soul-deep needs—God Himself promises to meet them.

Continue reading >>

Share
Comment

Stories That Sting

Posted September 23, 2013 | Judith Ingram

Scripture

Deuteronomy 13:12-15 (New Revised Standard Version)

If you hear it said about one of the towns that the Lord your God is giving you to live in, that scoundrels from among you have gone out and led the inhabitants of the town astray, saying, “Let us go and worship other gods,” whom you have not known, then you shall inquire and make a thorough investigation. If the charge is established that such an abhorrent thing has been done among you, you shall put the inhabitants of that town to the sword, utterly destroying it and everything in it—even putting its livestock to the sword.

Continue reading >>

Share
Comment

Battle of the Grudge

Posted September 16, 2013 | Judith Ingram

Scripture

Galatians 5:17 (New Living Translation)

The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.

Consider

Our sinful nature is always willing to do battle over injuries and insults we suffer in relationships. Selfish motives compel us to hurt back, punish, or escalate conflict rather than let some wrongdoer off the hook.

Continue reading >>

Share
Comment

Subscribe!

Want my free resource,  “Ten Do’s and Don’ts for Healthy Relationships,” plus my latest posts, delivered to your email inbox?

Judith’s Books