Build Yourself Up

But you, dear friends, as you build yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting expectantly for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life. Jude 1:20-21

As a follower of Christ, it is my responsibility to build up the faith God has given me. This comes from being in the Word and from praying in the Spirit. These don’t happen by accident, they take intentional effort. Just like building a house doesn’t happen by accident. I also have to wait on the mercy of God and love, which can be easier said than done.

My face expresses my thoughts and feelings. This past holiday weekend I was told I looked unhappy. There was no hiding my unloving attitude towards my husband. He was running on little sleep and had an attitude to prove it. He had been making little comments, hurtful, and intentional at everything I said or did. I was keeping my distance as he was being nice to everyone else. Yet my face told it all.

I was enjoying the time with my family but I was truly hurt by my husband’s words and actions. Instead of giving him love, mercy and grace, knowing he had not slept because he was driving all night to get us there; I was apparently glaring or pouting. I wasn’t keeping myself in love. I was ruining my testimony, not him, as much as I wanted to blame him. I am responsible for my actions and reactions.

Lord, thank you for a second, and third, and 4th chance. I pray that You help me to build up my faith, pray in the Spirit. Keep me grounded in love and wait expectantly on you. Help my face reflect my faith and not the circumstances around me.