ABOVE ONLY DEVOTIONAL* FRIDAY, JAN. 18 *Grace to be Discerning and Not Over Suspicious* _2 Kings 5,:7-8 (NIV)

*ABOVE ONLY DEVOTIONAL*

FRIDAY, JAN. 18

*Grace to be Discerning and Not Over Suspicious*

_2 Kings 5,:7-8 (NIV)_
_soon as the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his robes and said, 'Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life?

Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me! When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his robes, he sent this message: 'Why have you torn your robes? Have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel._

When you are someone who is always suspicious of everything and everyone, you will read negative meaning to the innocent and genuine intentions of others. You will also cause yourself so much unnecessary stress that could very well have been avoided. Did you observe how suspicious the king of Israel became over the innocent letter that the king of Syria wrote to him concerning Naaman's healing? Did you also notice how he tore his beautiful robes for nothing? James 1:19-20 (GNB) says, remember this, my dear friends! Everyone must be quick to listen, but slow to speak and slow to become angry. Human anger does not achieve God's righteous purpose.

Do not be hasty in responding to that which you see and hear. Resist the urge to become angry and to react negatively. Rather, be calm and listen to hear what God is saying to you in His word and by His Spirit about that situation. Ask yourself, “what is God's righteous will or purpose in this matter”? That is what you should focus on discovering and doing. Do not be afraid. No weapon formed against you shall prosper. Do not allow human traditions, mindsets and superstitions to cause you to think and respond negatively. Rather, be conscious of the love of God, the Word of God and the power of God that is available to you. Do not feel insecure and do not compare yourself with others, as though you are in a competition with them. See things the way Jesus would see them and respond in like manner because you are in Him now and His life is in you.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I receive Your grace to always see situations and respond to them in the same way Jesus would.