Weekly Devotions: To Boil or To Steep
Happy Sunday, friends. In today’s weekly devotions, we will discuss…is it better to boil or to steep?
I hope these weekly devotions take you to prayer and bring you closer to the Lord.
It is the beginning of Lent for many and as the team on the Hallow App say…remember to stay Prayed Up.
It may be because I am an optimist, but it seems to me lately that so many people are angry or disgruntled.
They are like boiling water poured into a pot which eventually breaks the glass vessel from the heat.
There are days that feel like every person I speak with or hear are complaining, complaining, complaining….drip, drip, drip.
The biggest problem with the amount of anger around us is… it’s contagious.
So many fall into the trap of being disgruntled because the people around them are.
Rather than be a cup of boiling water…I prefer to be a cup of steeped tea.
WEEKLY DEVOTIONS: TO BOIL OR TO STEEP – CHOOSE TO STEEP
One of the definitions for the word “steep” reads: the soaking of an organic solid, such as leaves, in a liquid (usually water) so as to extract flavors or to soften it.
This is why when I am faced with constant anger or discontentment around me, I prefer to steep myself in the Word of God…to soften the anger, and to extract the flavor of joy.
If EVERYTHING God has created is good, then who are we to complain about what He has created?
Rather, we are to receive everything he creates with thanksgiving…and I would add, with prayer.
If I will take the time to pray over the person or circumstance that is making me angry or discontent, God is always faithful to answer.
That does not mean that He immediately changes the circumstance, but often He softens me and how I am looking at it.
I have also begun to pray for people that I either know or see online who are incredibly angry…and pray that God will carry that anger for them and fill them with the Holy Spirit of peace.
Sometimes, all we need to do is ask angry people around us to tell us what they are thankful for.
In the midst of what they perceive to be a bad day, how can we help them discover good in that day.
Yes, sometimes praise and thanksgiving are sacrifices, but they are ones that will eventually pay off in peace, joy, and contentment.
To Boil or To Steep? Join me on the side of steep….
Steep yourself in God’s Word today.
Steep yourself in thanksgiving and praise.
And do not allow the sun to go down on your anger.
And the peace of God will be yours.
BLESSINGS TO YOU TODAY AND ALWAYS
By Pamela Lutrell
Thank you for joining me for the weekly devotions!
Amen. Yes, around here too- many complaints but mostly about our horrific weather this winter. It’s bouncing all over- some nice days tho cold ( expected) but too much snow. Yes this winter must break a record. Still other than “go with the flow” and quietly be disappointed with many social cancellations, what can we do? Just pray we don’t lose power and freeze?
One of my Lenten resolutions is “no complaining”. So many people around are complaining about the weather, the traffic, prices, etc. Its easy to fall into the same. My husband is partially disabled and I find myself complaining about some of the tasks that have fallen to me. I am trying to catch myself before I complain and instead pray about whatever I was going to complain about and be thankful that I can take care of the house, that we have a warm house, that groceries are available. And pray for those less fortunate. Hopefully by Easter it will be a fully integrated habit.
It is easy to complain about weather…that happens to me in the summer, Paulette. This year I will find Thanksgiving on those 100 degree days. We can do this!
Last week someone else told me she was giving up complaining for Lent. That’s a great idea, Kathie! I will pray for God to help you.
Thank you for today’s message. I am not a big complainer by nature, but sometimes do the ‘internal grumble’ which I believe God hears just as clearly as if I were venting out loud. So I need to clean up my inner dialogue. I like your idea of desiring to be softened through prayer.
To Kathie, yes…I have to do like you, reminding myself of all the good circumstances in order to endure some of the hardships of caregiving. It is a humbling journey for the carer and loved ones we care for.
Yes anger can be contagious and it is definitely spread quickly.
I think there are so many people that just feel angry about everything which in turn makes them very unhappy. Sometimes you can just see it on their faces.
I need to keep reading some of these Bible verses you shared (I am now copying some of them on note cards so I can read them later)
I love the picture of your Bible. It’s well used and I’m sure you can go back and see what you learned from that verse.
Thanks for your post today. Yes, steeping the Word into our lives is the best way to move negative to positive.
Hi Pam,
Good points and a nice share. Some people are never happy, it’s hard to be around grumpy people. I always give grace to people that are saddened by loss of a loved friend and family member. Also people that struggle with chronic health issues they are always given GRACE. I always say, “you never know what’s going on in another persons life.”
Take care, and stay safe out there.
You are looking great, hope you feel great, that counts in a big way.
Today at Mass we learned in the Gospel readings how Jesus was tempted by the devil in the desert after fasting for 40 days and nights. Father said we face temptations every day for the rest of our lives. But God is there with us every day with his saving Grace. It is tempting to join the throes of those who are unhappy and angry because there is much in the world that causes one to be disgruntled. Lent gives us the opportunity to pray, fast, and give alms. We can be the light that shines for others.
Anger and fear seem to go together. I have found the older we get the shorter our tempers. It is a quick flash in the pan and over and usually over nothing. My temper is shorter on pain days and they have been more often this warm dry winter where the wind never quits. I pray for peace of mind in both of us as we are so lucky to still be here. I’m grateful for my warm home and my food on the table. I’m grateful most of all for my husband who at 84 is still strong and able to do the things I no longer can. I’m so grateful for his constant love. I will also work very hard at praying instead of complaining when my pain is bad. My life is a gift from God that I’m grateful for and prayer continues to connect me to Him. Thank you Pam for this reminder.
Thank you for the nice message. Life was never meant to be easy, but sometimes, when we are a little down, it’s good to remember that the Savior’s grace can and will see us through. He does indeed walk with us. Praying that all of us will have a wonderful week.