By: Elizabeth Haarberg

How Does it Affect You?

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this SoundCloud link.

When adults make decisions a certain amount of autonomy is involved. The freedom to mess up as an adult is a choice of that person. When I begin to feel negative emotions about the decision an adult I’m in relationship with has made, I ask myself, “How does this affect me?” I typically get immediate relief unless the decision does affect me, then I go into forgiveness mode.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Ephesians 4:32 English Standard Version

Many times the decision does not affect me directly and I need to release the person to Jesus to let Him deal with the person. Hence, the “How does this affect me?” statement.

The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”

Jeremiah 31:3 English Standard Version

When I release that person to the Lord, this change in my action allows me to love the individual regardless of their decision. When I send that person on to Jesus, my frustration decreases and my ability to love them increases.

 “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

I Peter 4:8 English Standard Version

It’s hard to be in relationship with others. I know sometimes I want to just shut my door to the world and hide away with God. But He created us for community, to interact in the confusing, imperfect relationships where people make decisions that make no sense to us.

The bottom line with people is to love them and when they disappoint, release them to Jesus. He will take care of them and give us the grace and mercy to love that person right where they are.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado