Colossians 3:12-17: Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Singing songs from the Spirit! Doesn’t that sound like an invitation; an invitation to divest ourselves from anger, pain and disappointment? Colossians 3: 12-17 invites us to teach and admonish through psalms, hymns and songs. Another smack myself on the head moment! I love Christian music especially Christian rock. The music touches my soul. Once again, I’m reminded to have peace in my life and be thankful for every thing! If any teaching or warning, scolding, rebuking or just plain chewing out needs to be done in someone else’s life, I need to get out of the way; the teaching and chewing needs to be done through the Bible psalms and songs.
When gratitude and praise flow from my mouth, then, I can be thankful and peaceful. Then I can be tranquil and satisfied. I can be undisturbed and serene. My gratitude will over-flow from my Christ-filled heart to my Peace-in-Christ mouth. Oh, how I struggle with the words coming out of my mouth. I am working on re-learning new habits instead of wasting my time on the old habits. STOP! Before I speak find calmness and composure. Harness myself with the armor of Truth and Love because my love is a conditional love. As much as I want to say I love you no matter what happens, I still find myself asking others to march to my drummer and not their own drumming.
I want to be that peaceful warrior of Christ. I want to be so filled with the Spirit that the Living Word spills, floods, pours out and burst through me to others. No more battles, no more “get backs”, no more “say backs”. Just the knowledge God not only has a plan for me but a plan for others too. He is fighting the battle for me and others. His plan is supreme. He wins every war and battle. I’m just here to learn from Him and His Son and to be Spirit-filled to the brim with His peace.
Stumbling into Grace 
This one lands right where I am, Susie! It is hard work – this wrestling through old habits, old teachings, old ways of being in the world, but necessary if we are to come out the other side fully surrendered servants of the Most High God, fully robed daughters and sons of the Heavenly Father, and fully armed warriors of the LORD of Hosts. I am learning to appreciate the value of this place of wrestling through, not wrestling with God. Blessings on your continued journey!
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WOW Lauree – your words are exactly where I am “at” in life
Struggling – like you said – with old teachings and old habits
I found some notes on co-dependency the other day (going through all the stuff from our move) I read books on co-dependency because I always try to fix, fix, fix. My notes bascially said “When I find myself reacting in “old ways” anger, frustration, bitterness or sarcasm, then I need to DETACH by leaving the room, taking a walk or cleaning something – anything to get myself to find the Peace Jesus left me –
Want to take a walk?
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I would love to take a walk with you, Susie, even though it must be done through written words and prayer for each other. I can tell we are truly sisters in Christ and bound by the same Spirit who pours out the love of God liberally and without discretion! Someday we will meet face to face!
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Walking with you in Spirit and through the Word
God Bless and may God’s Will bring us together someday
God Bless
susie
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I am in the same place – always too quick to join in the fray when others are having a go at someone they think has done wrong. After a sentence or two I feel a restraining Hand on my mouth and thoughts and have to say outloud “OK Dru, shut up. The Lord does not want you talking this way about others. Just shut up and move on.” Its hard when the other people don’t want to let go of the bone of contention that they are chewing, and I have actually had to leave the room to keep from getting drawn back into the backbiting conversation. Can I join your walk too, Susie?
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Morning Dru
Join away! We can name our walk club and think of each other when we open our mouths when we shouldn’t
Just knowing others are struggling with the same issues helps me in some odd way!
I do exactly what you said – Out of my mouth pops the very words I don’t want to say – let alone feel – I stop myself and either shut up or leave the room running to the Peace left by the Lord
Blessings – What should we call our Walk-away Club?
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Obviously, I’m way behind here, but this reading really struck a chord in me. Looks like I’m in good company, though. 🙂 I think I’m getting better, but every day, I find myself angry about something, then later have to shake my head in shame at the poor witness I’ve been. Thank God for his lovingkindness and longsuffering!!
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AMEN! What would we do if our Loving God was not kind to us and longsuffering enough with our “junk!”
God Bless
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