What level do you see yourself?

A bit of advice, I’m talking to myself here too.

Level One:  Just suppose you have your feelings hurt by someone.  I mean they really hurt you.  You have a choice to make.  You could be hurt and harbor resentment toward them and seek revenge.

Well let’s take the same scenario, you have been hurt, and during the time of angry emotions and pain someone else you love dearly is hurt in an automobile accident.  I promise you in your mind, the car accident victim is going to take precedence over the person who hurt your feelings.  The pain caused by the one who hurt you is going to take a back seat to the concern for your loved one.  Suddenly what seemed important a few minutes ago pales in comparison to your new reality.

Level Two:   Someone hurts you and you pray and do good to them, let it go and move on. “Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.” -  Romans 12:21

Well it sounds all so simple on paper doesn’t it? But how do you get there?

Level Three:  Let’s suppose someone does something to really hurt you.  If you are so busy working for God and His Kingdom, you will not have time to dwell on the unpleasant incident.  Without even thinking about it, the violation will have taken a back seat to what is really important.

You did not need a tragedy to occur in your life to shift your focus; you simply needed to focus on what really is important overall, today and every day.  If you set your mind on living for God, the choice has already been made when things arise that were not in the forecast.  God will always be your number one priority and then other infringements will not seem so large.  And when your mind is set on Him “Level Two” becomes as natural as breathing.  For the record, I’m not there yet, but I’m headed in the right direction.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”  Hebrews 12:1-3

Please feel free to post your thoughts on this subject.