View todays devotional and grow closer with Christ.
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God.
Philippians 2:14–15
Children often bicker or squabble over things, but they usually don’t harbor a grudge. Whether disagreeing on the rules of a game, divvying up treats, or fighting over time on the tablet, kids usually express their emotions right in the moment.
Adults, on the other hand, learn to be polite, “nice,” and socially acceptable. We become conditioned to withhold our unpleasant emotions and instead work out amicable, at least on the surface, solutions. However, many times we might be better off being as honest as children. When we’re honest with our emotions, we don’t allow anger, resentment, and conflict to fester into bitterness, jealousy, and envy.
Self-discipline is important. And no one enjoys a complainer or whiner. So if we want to represent God’s love and compassion to those around us, maybe we have to strike a balance between honesty and empathy.
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Pray: “Father, sometimes I act like a spoiled child, and I’m grateful that is not how you see me. Help me to be mature in my faith, aware of my feelings but not ruled by them.”
