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Don’t
Take It Personally
Are you deeply
upset when others from flesh to you do speak,
Do you find that
you respond and that your tongue you didn’t keep?
Maybe it was not
what was spoken, but what was done.
Nevertheless
disturbed you have become and no victory you have won.
Taking what others
do and say personally reveals your sensitivity is acute.
Is it not time for
the purging of the heart? To this you must become astute.
The wisdom of the
Lord says, “Don’t take it personally.” Then it will be
without effect.
The moment you do,
in the flesh you’ve responded: only by the Spirit can this you detect.
Why take it
personally? What is the advantage when to the flesh you
descend?
Defensive you are,
but ask the question: “What is there to defend?”
Would you defend
pride, your image or rights, and with anger react?
Words born of hurt
feelings in your sensitivity, once spoken you cannot bring back.
So you’re
rejected, misunderstood, taken advantage of, accused, put down and more.
In grace learn not
to take it personally; shield your heart with love, and to
flesh close the door.
Taking things
personally only breeds resentment, unforgiveness and a fight.
To love the one
doing you wrong is to keep your peace and do what is
right.
Oh, to be healed
from reacting! Its root must know the ax.
The work of the
Spirit in purifying and transforming is never lax.
Not to take it
personally will take a work of the Spirit to mature you.
You are not to
think it will take a day or two, but the transforming work He will do.
You must realize
that love does not take into account a wrong.
Then the only way
not to be offended is in the good of love that is graciously strong.
It is evident to
the child of God that not taking anything personally is love’s way;
For love is not
self-centered, to others it extends good no matter what
they do or say.
Turn the other
cheek or be offended; it’s your decision.
You can have joy
in no answer, or in a right one which is love’s demonstration.
So to speak or not
to speak is the decision of love, with regard to others in all things.
Love considers
their spiritual condition and life it brings.
Love renders
fleshly words powerless over you; only then can your heart be calm
By the good of
love wrong is overcome, and to others you do no harm.
O to love is to
see things differently and to rest.
To love is not to
curse but rather to bless.
Don’t be
discouraged in the process of maturity.
The Lord loves you
and purposes to bring you to purity.
When tempted to
take it personally in the face of another,
Take it to your
Father, and it will be no bother.
By John L. Parault
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