“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Phil. 4:13.
And another verse that I am going to cling to as well:
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Cor. 9:8.
I looked up some synonyms of compassion: charity, pity, condolence, kindness, leniency, mercy, tenderness. All things that I desire to be. I have also looked up the definitions for meek: mild temper, soft, gentle, not easily irritated. And quiet: peaceable, not turbulent, not giving offense, mild, meek, content.
Well, right away I notice a few (or maybe a LOT) of things that I am NOT. I’m not always kind, I am not always tender and gentle. I am actually quite easily irritated. And I’m not always content either. It looks like I have alot of work to do. Or, should I say, it looks like God has so much to do in me. He has such a difficult job being my Father, the molder of my heart. Praise God that nothing is impossible (or difficult) with Him! I am praying, though, that I would open myself up to His changing power. I want Him to do this in me so badly that I can taste it. However, I know that the responsibility does not lie with Him alone. He has the power, I have to be ready, willing and able for it.
For the past few weeks I have been looking up scriptures with the words compassion, meek and quiet in them. Here are the ones that have stood out to me the most.
“Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them in the desert.” Neh. 9:19.
“But as soon as they were at rest, they again did what was evil in your sight. Then you abandoned them to the hand of their enemies so that they ruled over them. And when they cried out to you again, you heard from heaven and in your compassion you delivered them time after time.” Neh. 9:28.
“Praise the Lord…who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion.” Psalm 103:4
“when Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion for these people…” Matthew 14:14.
“…the Father of compassion and God of all comfort, who comforts us in our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received.” 2 Cor. 1:3.
“He leads me beside quiet waters…” Psalm 23:2
“Better a dry crust with peace and quiet, than a house full of feasting and strife.” Prov. 17:1.
“He will quiet you with His love…” Zeph. 3:17
“The one I esteem is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.” Isaiah 66:2.
“But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.” Psalm 37:11
Oh Father, You show me so much through Your Word. So much so that at times (like now) I am completely overwhelmed with my own inadequacies. Yet, more than my own shortcomings, Your character and Your will for me shine through. You are the God of compassion, a Father to the fatherless. Jesus had compassion as soon as He saw people everywhere He went. I want that. I want my attitude to be like His. But, God, you are going to have to come into my heart and just do a complete makeover. I trust You, though. I trust You completely. I want to yield myself to You and allow You to do Your thing. Work in me. Change me. Mold me. Amen.
Candace,
I enjoyed reading this. I too have been seeing the same thing with my word of the year joy. It seems like it touches so many areas of my life. I’m so looking forward to this study. At times I feel so overwhelmed with my own inadequacies. I know this drives me to my Saviour’s feet. Sorry for being so long. Just some thoughts I haven’t typed up yet.
Thank you for being vulnerable and allowing us to see your heart. It takes courage to share your intermost feelings and emotions. I pray that God will continue to mold you into the woman He desires you to be and that you are ready and willing. You are a blessing to me!