How can I refrain from reacting and in place respond in love?
How can I refrain from judgement and instead choose to look with eyes of understanding?
To refrain from anything takes self control and discipline for sure.
And that fruit comes from the Holy Spirit who lives in me, ever guiding, teaching, convicting, and reminding me of truth.
My personal life coach.
So, as He gently, or otherwise, prompts me to listen and refrain from speaking, my tendency to react and judge diminishes as his abiding presence leads me.
His fruit, his life in me helps me refrain from the things of this world that are not of the Life of Christ.
Beautiful words!
I should keep from the sarcastic,
refrain from an ironic binge,
but there’s something quite fantastic
in making other people cringe.
I should refrain from violence
on this Christian path I’m walking,
but some folks won’t keep silence
when I am busy talking.
I should practice more humility,
and not give in to pride,
but have not ability
to make my greatness hide,
for when I’m passing down the street
the churls should grovel at my feet.
We can all be thankful for that gift!