It's HARD to be apart of a "CHOSEN PEOPLE; TO BE HOLY..."

"Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self controlled; set your hop fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." "
1 Peter 1:13-16

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. "
1 Peter 2:9 & 10

"Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us."
1 Peter 2:11 & 12

The apostle Peter wrote this to: US!
"To God's elect, strangers in the world..."
"...who have been chosen according the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood."

Who among us, besides myself, struggle in this area, everyday???

Often I find myself immediately irritated at a driver I'm behind, because they are taking forever to turn. I bang on the horn and yell, "GO ALREADY!" Immediately following, I'm convicted by the Holy Spirit; "Patience beloved. Have tolerance toward your fellow man. Be slow to anger."
My response, "WOW; Father, I THOUGHT I had this area under control. I thought I had it licked..." He always reminds me that the enemy will FOREVER catch me off guard. Always "be ready."

Sometimes I'm easily upset at an employee at a grocery store, or fast food place...they are rude for NO REASON. I sometimes find myself being rude right back, justifying my behavior as, "They did it first!" Jesus said to have "Faith as a child. To come to Him like a child." NOT to act "childless"; NOT behave "immaturely "(because we are NOT ignorant to the "proper behaviors").

Most days I AM on my toes. I DO carry the JOY OF THE CHRIST within me. I usually am upbeat and smiling, pleasant and been called "PERKY", lol. But now and again, or for perhaps a short season, I struggle in this area. It may happen once and a while, or it may be that I struggle for a week at a time. Whichever the case, it is difficult for me.

Sometimes I get into a heated argument with my 22yr. old daughter. Although we have been making progress in our relationship, DUE TO MUCH PRAYER and the HELP FROM OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, we do have our words. How quick I am to spout off immediately WITHOUT THINKING FIRST, in an angered response to my daughters "snotty tone of voice!"
WHAP! Right then and there the enemy's got me!!!!

Before the Holy Spirit has even had a chance to "get through to me", I'm going off defensively! When I leave the room to cool off, it is THEN, His voice is audible...then, I am feeling terrible for AGAIN, letting my Father down. Dissapointing Him AGAIN, and dissapointing myself. HOW can I justify CONTINOUSLY asking my Loving Father for forgiveness in this area AGAIN. Did'nt I just ask for this 2months ago? Last week? I thought I was making progress; "AHH, FOILED AGAIN!! YOU'RE NOT EVER GOING TO WIN THIS BATTLE!" The enemy is quick to put all these thoughts and more in my head. I admidt, there HAVE been times, where I've been weak, and given in to him.

BUT ALAS, our Graceful Lord, MY BELOVED FATHER, IS ALWAYS FAITHFUL!! He always manages to get through. He tells me through His words in the bible that He NEVER gives up on me. He is loving me through this battle; refining me. Sculpting me. Teaching me. He speaks through my Pastor at our church; through my husband, and fellow Christians such as yourselves. WE are a HIS CHOSEN ones; we are to Love and Honor one another. To confess our sins to one anther, so as to lift each other up. We are to help our "church family". Our "brothers and sisters in Christ". To Love, forgive and go on.

He always brings me back to His words. While struggling with this this week, He lead me to these verses in 1 Peter. How quickly I am to "not forgive". How quickly I am to ask my Father for HIS FORGIVENESS, and yet not practice this myself to my own daughter. Wow, what a not so welcoming revelation. But His word aslo says that I should be greatful for the battles He allows me to go through. Because of this, he is perfecting me. And when He feels I am ready, He will put me in the position to where I will give my testimony. So that my testimony may help others who are struggling w/this same thing; to inspire; to give faith; to not give up!

And when this time comes, I WILL CONFESS WITH MY MOUTH, how my GLORIOUS FATHER brought me through, AGAIN. My voice will sing PRAISE to HIM, to give HIM ALL THE GLORY.

All my love brothers and sisters.
God Bless,
DaughterOfGod