I agree and I think through time we will work this out.
I've also observed people who have spent years in the medical industry are a bit more aggressive and a part of them seems to become a little unfeeling. That's just my observation. Perhaps others have seen a different side or have a different view.
I just joined the choir at my new church-- I used to be a member of it before a long time ago. But the brother I sat next to in practice-- I think I made him uncomfortable. SO I was uncomfortable and was paralyzed by that discomfort because all I really wanted was to make friends with the lady on my left and the dude on my right.
I felt so awkward, so out of place-- I think I get on this guy's nerves!
He and his family are newer to the church than I am.
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"The choices we make reveal the true nature of our character."
Good idea, but I'm not there yet. I'd feel like a hypocrite. If I gave her a gift, I'd have to be sincerely sincere. That isn't happening this week. LOL! Pray for me!
I do agree with you, in that, I also believe she feels threatened by me. I think as time goes by and she sees that I am NOT competing with her, she will eventually calm down.
fake it till you make it.
__________________ If I do something stupid blame the Lortab!
Thanks for the kind compliment, Ron! I am trying my best to be an honest Christian.
This is a good post and I think I need to pray a little more. Truthfully, when I read the part where you said, "If you act that way toward them it won't be long before your feelings follow" - I cringed! Lord, help me!! I'm miles away from where I need to be on this one!
Don't you love the times when you are in a prayer meeting or during the song service and His Spirit just melts your heart and everything in the whole world is all right again?!!!
Amen! More of Jesus & less of me!
Also, if everyone was honest, all of us struggle with this at one time or another!
I often find myself falling far short of the mark when I compare my character to Jesus!
I am like Paul, "I press toward the mark...." Sound familiar?
Lord, it's so hard for me to do this. It's like being a liar, so I just do the avoidance thing. LOL! I can't separate the fake thing and the liar thing in my mind. I've never been able to do that.
PO, one thing you are is honest & I don't mean that in a bad way!
I have met a few over the course of my 26 years of living for God that I called my "Grace Builders" (I am sure I am a "Grace Builder) to someone) & it isn't easy.
Faith is not feeling & Love, God's love, is a choice.
Ever had everything go wrong & then try to be thankful for it?
It goes against our human nature.
My nature says, "I like you, if you like me." "You can't stand me, well, then go fly a kite, I can't help it if you have poor taste!"
Jesus loved everyone & I am sure they were not all like the Apostle John who was I believe a little easier to love.
We have to make a choice to be nice, to love, to serve, to be kind!
Prayer, & sheer will power can help us to achieve this.
When I had someone I did not particularly care for, I would try to find ways to be nice, to be kind, to serve, to love that person.
If you act that way toward them it won't be long before your feelings follow.
Honestly praying for them will help as well.
It is hard to pray for someone for God to bless them & harbour ill feelings at the same time!
Sorry, I am rambling!
C S Lewis says very similar things in his chapter on Love/charity in his book Mere Christianity. I'll try to type some of them out later, but I have to do some running around.
I was having a difficult time with my oldest son. He constantly liked to jab with words, words he knew would be hurtful but thinking he was being funny. It was bothering me so I went to pray and fast for him one day at the church by myself and while praying God allowed me to feel His love toward my son and WOW!! it changed my heart and the offense I felt was gone. Now the things my son does and says, I can look past and not be offended in the way I was before I sought the Lord. I don't like what he says at times but his words don't stick into me like they use to.
We need the love of God shed abroad in our hearts for EVERYONE.
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His banner over me is LOVE.... My soul followeth hard after thee....Love one another with a pure heart fervently. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
To be a servant of God, it will cost us our total commitment to God, and God alone. His burden must be our burden... Sis Alvear
Lord, it's so hard for me to do this. It's like being a liar, so I just do the avoidance thing. LOL! I can't separate the fake thing and the liar thing in my mind. I've never been able to do that.
I need help!
Do it because it will please God. Read Romans 12. And keep in remembrance that we are all the children of God and all part of the body of Christ. We are members one of another.
Hope that helps.
__________________
His banner over me is LOVE.... My soul followeth hard after thee....Love one another with a pure heart fervently. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
To be a servant of God, it will cost us our total commitment to God, and God alone. His burden must be our burden... Sis Alvear
I just joined the choir at my new church-- I used to be a member of it before a long time ago. But the brother I sat next to in practice-- I think I made him uncomfortable. SO I was uncomfortable and was paralyzed by that discomfort because all I really wanted was to make friends with the lady on my left and the dude on my right.
I felt so awkward, so out of place-- I think I get on this guy's nerves!
He and his family are newer to the church than I am.
I'm sorry about this Jermyn! Since you just joined maybe this brother will settle down after he gets to know you. So many people are introverts, it's hard to reach out to them, fully, in the beginning. They have to feel less threatened or more comfortable. That may possibly happen if you have some function outside of church where many people tend to relax more.
Lord, it's so hard for me to do this. It's like being a liar, so I just do the avoidance thing. LOL! I can't separate the fake thing and the liar thing in my mind. I've never been able to do that.
I need help!
It is a lie when you are being fake toward people for your own image.
It is NOT a lie to "fake it" if the intention is that you are working on YOU, and you are doing your best to be like Christ.
Papa George used to say that if the truth would hurt someone, keep your mouth shut.
at least that is my personal veiw.
__________________ If I do something stupid blame the Lortab!
My soul followeth hard after thee....Love one another with a pure heart fervently. 
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