The thief does not
come except to kill, and to steal, and to destroy.
How does the thief find his way in? When I follow the emotional low road of
impulsivity, I behave selfishly.
What does this have to do with stealing,
killing, or destroying? A lot. My vision for loving others can be quickly stolen.
My goal to promote peaceful outcomes gets
killed. My ability to show genuine mercy is destroyed. I follow feelings. Worldly desires become my motive. I take
revenge.
Getting offended is the major way I allow myself to be
stolen from. Standing up for someone else
seems like a good thing, but if I become controlling and exert my will and
pride, I lose. My opportunity to be effective
was stolen and the person that needed help also missed out.
If I get angry at a family member who needs help, that means
I over ride patience and kindness. I just
killed the chance to love.
Driving by the homeless guy because I’m feeling impatient
destroys my own blessing to give.
Taking offense never causes me to gain anything. If I take up offenses, then I, too, become offensive. I’m acting like I did in the drunken days!
I have come that you
may have life, and have it more abundantly.
I want that.
(Jn. 10:10)
