New Year: Walking With God by John Eldredge

John Eldridge

ISBN: 9780718080953

Publisher's Synopsis:

Our deepest need is to live in conversation with God. To hear his voice. To follow him intimately. This is the single most life-changing habit that a human being can adopt, because it brings us back to the source of life. Yet most Christians have never been taught how to have a conversation with the Creator.

In this revised and updated edition of his classic Walking with God, John Eldredge opens his personal journals to tell a year’s worth of stories about walking and talking with the Lord. By putting words to the things God has shown him through some amazing experiences, Eldredge helps readers shed light on the miraculous truths that God is showing them right now.

MrsK's Review:

For this season in life, I have been learning how to walk the path our Lord has given me. This book is an excellent resource. It provides moments with our Lord, moments to just be in His presence and listen. It has helped me reclaim my standing on God's promises. Being renewed means looking deep within the recesses of your mind, heart, spirit, and soul. What has truly been harbored and/or hidden. 

Each chapter leads you through each season. In each season you will walk with John's testimony. His insights, re-trials, and spiritual discernment will lead you into those moments with God. This journey is so well laid out... take the journey and learn to "hear" the Lord as He cleanses you!

Through the retelling of John's search, as a reader, I was able to follow in his steps. To ask our Lord to reveal, to forgive, to renew, and to rejuvenate His Love. Allowing Him to reveal that which He wants removed is still under construction. To have the old buttons of despair; low self-worth; de-valued; abandonment; and betrayal become disengaged is like having your wiring stripped and reconfigured. It is my hope that those "old deceptions" can no longer spark any shadowing whisperings, because our Lord has signed, sealed, renewed, and called me redeemed!

Blessed journey... Godspeed!

MrsK

Just Be His Creation: Job37:5-6

God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; 

he does great things beyond our understanding.

He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,'

 and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.'

Job 37: 5-6

Good afternoon Abba, Good afternoon Jesus, Good Afternoon Holy Spirit,

Have you ever heard of Liturgy Oriented? I had not, but believe me, I will be practicing these moments with God for the rest of this season.

Present Over Perfect has been a great discovery. Shauna's book study is spot on for where I'm being lead. Just for today, here are a few insights to enter into a deeper presence with our Lord:

1. Ignatian spirituality is rooted in the conviction that God is active, personal, and—above all—present to us. When you are reading a segment of scripture ask the Lord to open you up to new aspects of Jesus' character through His revelation of the passage. Place yourself within the scene (walking, listening, feeling, sensing) what they experienced.
2. Unearth and Relearn what God is really saying to you. "Set aside your lens of understanding." Learn to be with Him in silence (stillness of His beauty, sense His goodness, listen for His voice of love and forgiveness).
3. Practice centering prayer. Picture His image or part of His word or one of His names. Ask God to whisper to you who He is.
4. Practice Restfulness. Practice responsible and respectful rest. God is in control of all things... it doesn't depend on you. Seek His provision of resurrected rejuvenation.
5. Hold all things up to the lens of His words only. Let go of your lens about His words (beliefs, version of scripture, self-labels or agreements).
6. Embrace the daily and weekly rhythms and practises that will ground you in His love. Be centered in the way He made you, letting the revelation of His love into your heart (love, joy, promises, will, calling, delights).

Remember, in Job 37:5-6 He is guiding us that the snow just falls as snow and the rain just pours down. We can live and do the only thing He created us to be. For He is God... He is mighty... He created you... Just be His creation.

Shauna Niequist

ISBN: 9780310342991

Publisher's Synopsis:

Present Over Perfect is an invitation to this journey that changed my life. I’ll walk this path with you, a path away from frantic pushing and proving, and toward your essential self, the one you were created to be before you began proving and earning for your worth.

Written in Shauna’s warm and vulnerable style, this collection of essays focuses on the most important transformation in her life, and maybe yours too: leaving behind busyness and frantic living and rediscovering the person you were made to be. Present Over Perfect is a hand reaching out, pulling you free from the constant pressure to perform faster, push harder, and produce more, all while maintaining an exhausting image of perfection.

Shauna offers an honest account of what led her to begin this journey, and a compelling vision for an entirely new way to live: soaked in grace, rest, silence, simplicity, prayer, and connection with the people that matter most to us.

In these pages, you’ll be invited to consider the landscape of your own life, and what it might look like to leave behind the pressure to be perfect and begin the life-changing practice of simply being present, in the middle of the mess and the ordinariness of life.

Study Gateway Link

Called with Grace: 2 Tim 1:9

"He who has given us life and has called us with a holy calling,

 not according to our works,

 but according to his will and the grace which has been given to us in Yeshua The Messiah

 before the time of the world,"

2 Tim 1:9 ABPE

Good morning Abba, Good morning Jesus, Good morning Holy Spirit,

Have you wondered how the disciples walked by faith, even to the point of death? What gave them the courage, the grit, the freedom from "that which is in the world," and the peace-filled grace to walk each day with purpose? For my daily walk, the moment I leave my devotional time and enter my daily life, I find the things of this world begin taking over my focus. Once my focus is redirected, gosh, my graciousness and even my dignity begins to falter. Why is that? 

How do I bring people with me into His marvelous light? Am I celebrating the gift I've been given by Jesus? How am I responding to His gift of Grace and Holiness? Tough questions, right! As an educator, the most valuable aspect to my calling has been a simple formula: seeking to know + willingness to practice + internalizing with a journal = living as a life-long learner. The prior questions and so, so, many more become clearer when I can read, listen, write, and contemplate in my time spent before our Lord. Summertime retreat means mornings spent with a spiritual leader (chosen book), my journal, and Study Gateway.

For today, learning how to "Dance in Grace, Stand our Holy Ground, and Run our Mission" will inspire me as this day unfolds. Today's choice is to step into the abundance of His blessings,

"Looking at the Holiness that God has written over you

and how you live out worship

in honoring Him with your choices..."

Jess Connolly

ISBN: 9780310345640

Grace is always good news. But it's not cheap—true grace compels us to change. That’s where holiness comes in.

Beloved writer, speaker, and bestselling coauthor of Wild and Free Jess Connolly will be the first to admit that not long ago, like many women, she grasped grace but she had forgotten holiness. Dance, Stand, Run charts her discovery that holiness was never meant to be a shaming reminder of what we “should” be doing, but rather a profound privilege of becoming more like Christ. That’s when we start to change the world, rather than being changed by it.

Dance, Stand, Run is an invitation to the daughters of God to step into the movements of abundant life: dancing in grace, standing firm in holiness, and running on mission. Through story and study, Jess casts a fresh vision for how to live into your identity as a holy daughter of God, how to break free of cheap grace and empty rule-keeping, and finally, how to live out your holy influence with confidence before a watching world. Spoiler alert: it’s a beautiful thing.

For anyone longing to take their place in what God is doing in the world, Dance, Stand, Run will rally your strength, refresh your purpose, and energize your faith in a God who calls us to be like Him.

Click here to follow Jess' blog

Spiritual Cleansing: A Journey that Never Ends

Good morning Abba, Good morning Jesus, Good morning Holy Spirit,

Thank you Lord for loving me so! Thank you Lord for your provision of grace, mercy, forgiveness, and the desire to know you more. With every season of my life, you have guarded and guided me in your ways for your glory, there are no words to express my love for you. With humility I have fallen to my knees, with faith I have sought you, with love I have cried unto you, and with joy I have worshiped your creations. Keep me on your path of truth... show me the way... strengthen my walk for your glory, my Lord and Savior.

There are seasons meant for growing in our understanding. Forgive me for being quiet during this time of growth. I have been on a journey which included pruning the old growth and fertilizing with new understanding. As with any season of growth, learning to shut the door to our past is not necessarily easy but so blessed. Becoming "unchained" from past deceptions, hurts, and oppression's has created openings within my mind... heart... and soul. Areas prepared for new inspirations and stronger "rooting" in God's Will for my life.

Although my journey is not unique, there are so many facets in which our Lord has reached down and ministered to me that I'm overflowing with joy about some of the resources I've used. So here is a few of those that might bless you:

Keep It Shut by Karen Ehman: ISBN: 9780310339649. Okay, this book is all about learning how to have a gracious and kind mouth. A tongue that speaks truth, yet doesn't destroy others. A manual for being unchained from "victim-hood" without being less than Christ like. Have you ever read a book that you have marked up? This book is one of those that you will return to time after time.

To Know Him by Gloria Copeland: ISBN: 9780446511247. As with any resource that is designed to bring you closer to our Lord, Gloria's straight forwarded faith inspires you to put God's words in front of you every morning, evening, and those in-between times. Yet, there is so much more to a relationship with our Lord! It also means rebuking the deceiver; speaking/praying scripture into your heart; learning to obedient to God's word; and listening to His will for every decision in your life. With pen in hand I found my journal filling up with scriptural passages, God's promises, and prayer-filled pronouncements. One section a night blessed my evening prayer.

66 Ways God Loves You by Jennifer Rothschild: ISBN: 9780718087708. Beautifully crafted. Perfected for me, yep, this book is designed and formatted as a quick touch of joy. Just like a pick-me-up snack during your day (if only it replaced food cravings), these two page love reminders will keep you walking in His Love. How would you measure an overflow of loving reminders from our Lord? Beginning with God's first love-promise in Genesis, you will discover the joy of embracing His promises with renewed determination. Every promise comes with an open invitation to embrace, stand on, and re-read these proclamations of His love. A must have for every moment that arises in which you need to hear that you are loved beyond measure.

Resisting Happiness by Matthew Kelly: ISBN: 9781942611929. Choosing happiness and God's Will for your life. Why is such a simple, Yes... Here I am Lord, so daunting? Feeling overwhelmed is never a good or healthy avenue for me. It leads to a spiral that I just will not accept. I wasn't always that bold, but now there is only one choice when those feelings try to deceive me. That choice is to go back into this book and get re-fueled before I take my next step. Once again this is a book I have marked up with hi-lights, notes, earmarked, and underlined. It has become my "go-to" when I need step-by-step redirection. My favorite "booster-shot" came during Matthew's description about his "Greatest Books" book shelf (thirty-seven books hand chosen for his moments of need). He has placed upon this shelf, books that have had an enormous impact on his life. Books of various formats and areas of study, yet, all of them have been hand chosen and placed "eye-level" on this self because they have provided the greatest spiritual and inspirational guidance during his life's journey. Wow, I know I have those books all over my home and in my classroom, and yet, his decision to have them "at the ready" reminded me that I am not walking through this season on my own. So... guess who is creating that eye level shelf!

Uninvited by Lysa TerKeurst: ISBN: 9781400205875. Living loved, what does that look like? The journey within these pages is a "power-walk" in which you become revealed, exposed, and unchained. Only Proverbs has had such an impact upon the "who" God sees in me. Feeling less than and left out has haunted me since forever. Once upon a time I would declare that I was that person who could feel left out in a room full of friends and family (empty church pews and book stores excluded). This book was given to me, hand chosen, for this journey. Becoming free from past hurts, trusting in God's fullness and plans, and seeking His mercy while being pressed, transformed, and messy is uncomfortable... and yet, it is the season of His unending desire to "grow" us up into a newer relationship with Him. This is one of my 37 books upon my book shelf!

31 Verses to Write Upon Your Heart by Liz Curtis Higgs: ISBN: 9781601428912. Transformation begins with the graphing of a new attitude. For me the journey with these verses became my nightly appointment with God. Within my prayer closet, I would re-read the previous learning from my journal. Thanking Him for the ways in which I was strengthened throughout the day. Then came the verse for the day, I would read and hi-light its teaching and begin entering the teaching into my journal, allowing the teachings to take "root" within me as my pencil noted God's passages. Finishing the entry, I found that I needed to write a prayer-filled declaration to our Lord. Wow, insightful and inspiring. This book became a "pass-it-forward" experience to a precious co-worker.

Study Gateway. Link We have a "smart TV" so we have access over our ROKU connection. I have spent every weekend morning in a bible study from this sight (anything Max Lucado inspires me). I have revisited their Women of Faith sessions. Anne Graham Lotz has introduced God's word at a deeper level. Plus those women from Proverbs 31 Ministries have book sessions that will take you beyond their daily posts.

Yes, this is a season for change... Yes, it takes time to be changed, improved, and guided... Yes, our Lord is worth even more of my day!
I hope you have discovered a resource....
Blessings,

Checking Your Roots: Jeremiah 17:7-8

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,

whose confidence is in him.

They will be like a tree planted by the water

that sends out its roots by the stream.

It does not fear when heat comes;

its leaves are always green.

It has no worries in a year of drought

and never fails to bear fruit.”

Jeremiah 17:7-8

This season has been such a time of peace and joy. The loving comfort of knowing that all truths about the health of my roots has been lovingly revealed, nurtured, and given a revitalizing renewal. There has been a wealth of joy once His pruning began. The elimination of the branches which were creating diseased thoughts (shame is a deceptive evil spirit). His tender attention and life giving words refreshed my mind, spirit, and soul. Oh what joy is found under His watch!

Being taught "how-to" nourish my foundational roots is giving such energy. An energy in which the Holy Spirit is guiding the works of my hands. This summer has been the least busy, yet the most focused. Spending my days in scripture, slowing down and relishing the ever changing moments of Gabriel Michael, and just letting my days unfold has provided an overflow of peace and... oh, such delight.

As this season comes to a close, I can only hope for His continued nourishment. Allowing me to continue to grow stronger, more gracious, gentler in what I say and do.

Dear Abba, Lord Jesus, and Holy Spirit... guide me and strengthen me so I bring glory to You! For I trust in you. For it is written in your promises:

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High

shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the LORD,

He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler,

and from the noisome pestilence.

He shall cover thee with his feathers,

and under his wings shalt thou trust:

his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night;

nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness;

nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

A thousand shall fall at thy side,

and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

Because thou hast made the LORD,

which is my refuge,

even the most High, thy habitation;

There shall no evil befall thee,

neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

For he shall give his angels charge over thee,

to keep thee in all thy ways.

They shall bear thee up in their hands,

lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder:

the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

Because he hath set his love upon me,

therefore will I deliver him:

I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

He shall call upon me,

and I will answer him:

I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

Psalm 91

Gratitude: Hebrews 12:28

"Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken,

let us show gratitude,

by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe..."

Hebrews 12:28

He is faithful forever! Open my eyes my Lord. With these last few weeks, I find that my walk is blessed beyond my expectations. Worry and anxiety is bound. Moments in His loving presence nourishes beyond my expectations. Gratitude that I walk as His, ever under His watch.

This year is the time to learn how to walk with gracious dignity. It all begins with living free from the deception of shame. What a truly ugly spirit shame is. What a perfected blessing is His blood covering. His gracious gift of forgiveness brings joy. Yet, His amazing and precious blood covers us in such a way that we are allowed to live free from ugly deceptions like shame.

Gratitude is a reflective heart and mind set that is leading beyond my yesterdays and into my todays.

If you are looking to live free from the ugly deception of shame, join us as we learn how to walk without the cloak of shame.

Shame has no place in the purpose, plan, and destiny God has for us because shame lies to us, robs us of the freedom we long for,

and shackles us in the prison of our past.

In this five-session video Bible study, author and teacher, Christine Caine, weaves examples from her life with those of biblical characters who failed but overcame their shame to show how God heals us and redeems us. In her passionate style, she explains that if we want to change our futures, we have to believe God is bigger than our mistakes, our inadequacies, our pasts, and our limitations. We have to believe God created us for a unique purpose, has a specific plan for us, and has a powerful destiny he wants us to fulfill. God has already won the victory over sin and its shame, and we do need to spend our lives believing the lies of the deceiver. Instead, we can allow ourselves to be defined by God’s truth and choose to see ourselves the way God does—through the lens of his eternal perspective. So join the journey. Stop merely existing and start thriving. Lay hold of the power of Jesus Christ today and step into his future—a beautiful, full, life-giving future filled with purpose. You can live unashamed! Session titles include: Session1: Run, Don’t Hide Session 2: Today is the Day Session 3: Posses Your Inheritance Session 4: God Never Wastes a Hurt Session 5: Highly Unlikely. Join the book study at: http://www.faithgateway.com/unashamed-study-registration

Psalm 19 True and Purified Freedom

Good morning Abba, Good morning Jesus, Good morning Holy Spirit,

The law of the Lord is perfect,

refreshing the soul.

The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,

making wise the simple.

The precepts of the Lord are right,

giving joy to the heart.

The commands of the Lord are radiant,

giving light to the eyes.

The fear of the Lord is pure,

enduring forever.

The decrees of the Lord are firm,

and all of them are righteous.

Psalm 19:7-9

With joyous wonder, I have embarked on a journey within my soul. Through my daily devotional time, I was prompted by the Holy Spirit to draw nearer to our Lord. That, oh so gentle, nudging that receives confirmations in what you are reading... what others might say... what you hear from your church. Have you ever considered what true and purified freedom feels like? Has your heart ever been touched so profoundly that you feel as if it will break? What about those times when you sit quietly and you just are... no thoughts of anything in particular... just quietly sitting and listening to the sounds of life?

When I hunger for those moments of deep, satisfying, peace and joy... I find myself experiencing a heaviness that brings forth shadows from the past. Oh, it could be just a whispering or it might crush my chest with a type of heavy sorrow. Our soul is separate from our spirit. God's word promises that once we ask Jesus to save us, His eternal mercy and grace seals our spirit unto Him. Yet our soul can keep deep secrets hidden even from us. Within our souls toxic thoughts, weaknesses of doubt, hurts, faults, and choices linger. I once read that your soul harbors resentments and when you come before our Lord with a repentant heart, asking Him to cleanse and free you from your thoughts, actions, and choices... you can feel the difference by placing your hands upon your stomach as you are in prayer (you can!). 

  But who can discern their own errors?

Forgive my hidden faults.

Keep your servant also from willful sins;

may they not rule over me.

Psalm 19:12-13

My journey is about asking our Lord to "repair" my soul, my heart, my mind, and my will. Cleansing, renewing, refreshing, and setting me free to live within His will... joyous of His diligent watch... blessed by His tender pruning... and filled to overflowing with His life-giving waters.

Thank you for walking with me, 

May we continue our walk together,

Blessings as we journey on...

His words will provide my sustenance as I ponder His goodness in cleansing me:

John 4:10

John 4:14

John 5:30

Matthew 11:25-30

2 Timothy 2:20-23

John 7:37-39

John 8:36

Matthew 5:6-9

John 15: 1-17

1 Peter 5:6

 

From Kellie Copeland Swisher and Gloria Copeland (August 10-21), I received a beautiful prayer:

"Jesus, I ask you for living water and I believe in your gift for me. 

I believe that I receive your love and grace.

Lord fill me with living water from you.

Make me a well for others to drink from your goodness,

your presence,

your grace and love."

From my Sunday missal:

"Dear Jesus, I love you with my whole heart,

my whole soul, and with all my strength.

May the love of your own Sacred Heart fill my soul and purify it

so that I may die to the world for love of you,

as you died on the Cross for love of me.

My God, you are all mine;

grant that I may be all yours in time and in eternity."  

One of my favorite songs to ponder is "In The Garden" by C. Austin Miles:

I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses,
And the voice I hear falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses . . .

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other, has ever, known!

He speaks and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that he gave to me,
Within my heart is ringing . . .

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other, has ever, known!

And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other, has ever, known! 

2 Timothy 2:21 Reflection of His Handiwork

Good morning Abba, Good morning Jesus, Good morning Holy Spirit,

...if a person will but cleanse himself of evil things he may be a distinguished vessel, 

dedicated and useful to the master of the house and ready for every noble service.

2 Timothy 2:21

 This verse once meant that I was to walk away, turn my back on that which would not please our Lord.  If He is omnipresent, with us always... then what I read, what I watched, what I listened to... might not bring a smile to His face.  He might not think that joke was funny.  He might get up and walk away from that show.  He would be offended with how that actor used His name and then He would look at me with disappointment.... Definitely not my idea of a "blessed moment!"

With today's reading, this verse has taken on a joyful image.  In Spoken For, Robin shared about a "teachable" moment with a young visitor.  This nine-year-old was so down-in-the-mouth.  Her parents would not let her go see a movie with her friends because they did not approve of its content.  She felt that her parents were being "way too over protective."  Does this sound familiar?  I recognize this scene.  Robin was making chocolate covered cherries as she pondered how to respond to this young heart.  With inspiration from the Bible, she asked if her visitor wanted one of the cherries and of course she did... although she commented that she thought Robin was making them for someone special.  "How do you explain to a nine-year-old the blessing that comes from living according to God's standards and not going along with the rest of the world?"  Robin's discussion was priceless, her goal was to demonstrate the unique and priceless value that our Lord sees in each of us.  Robin remembered a dirty paper plate from the BBQ the night before.  She pulled it out of the garbage and picked up one of those yummy chocolate cherries... she proceeded to that disgusting, stained paper plate... when her young visitor stopped her.  "You aren't going to use that dirty plate, are you?"  Robin quickly responded, "I have other plates.  They're special plates.  Clean plates. Plates that I have kept set apart from all the others... You might think I'm way too overprotective of these plates.  I'm protective because these fine china plates are very valuable... I want to keep them clean and set apart... kept from harm and always be ready for me to use to serve others."

Once this unique "teachable" moment had finished, Robin proceeded to write this young ladies name on the back of the plate with the inscription... "You are a fine china plate: 2 Timothy 2:21."  This young lady took her priceless china plate, her blessed memory of a uniquely inspired biblical truth, and her priceless image of herself home.  Once home she hung it up on her bedroom wall as a reminder of that moment in time... her friend Robin's ability to inspire and love her... as a mirror reflecting God's word about how He sees her.  

I have a few china plates on my walls, ones given to me by my great-great grandmother... thanks to Robin's inspiration I now have a Biblical truth to write upon them for my grand-daughters.

So turn from youthful passions and pursue

 integrity, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord in purity of heart.  

Have nothing to do with senseless, ignorant disputations.

2 Timothy 2: 22-23

Matthew 5:16 Letting Good Deeds Pave His Pathway

Good afternoon Abba, Good afternoon Jesus, Good afternoon Holy Spirit,

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:16

I couldn't walk away from today's reading about God working on us.  In my daily devotional there was a witness that prompted two days of contemplation, two days of memories and acknowledging what my life was once like and how my life has been changed.

I have been blessed in a faith walk that began as a toddler.  My time with God began so very long ago that I would not know how to breathe without considering His guidance and teachings.  And yet, there have been so many lessons that have brought me closer unto His ministering hands. Lessons that I will only grasp the full measure of as I walk with Him in His garden.  The most encompassing moment began so many years ago when my youngest walked off a ledge and began drowning... that very day ended with me gasping for breath as I viewed paramedics trying to get me out of my SUV.

From that point on I have been under His designing touch... being reshaped... being fired... being designed... being lovingly crafted.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, 

but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:18

As I mentioned above, there was a witness shared that spoke of God's guidance during a brief interchange.  A man approached the writer while he was pumping gas, the man was asking for some money.  The writer ignored the man's request, and at once God began working in his spirit.  The story ended with the writer accepting and following the Holy Spirit's prompting to give that man the money.  It was the reminder of that revelation (money is only temporary but the kindness would open various levels of eternal possibilities) which caused my memories to under go a closer scrutiny.  How often have I followed the Holy Spirit's prompting, how often have I walked away only to go back and change a behavior, and how often have I walked away only to be humbled for my choice.

When we view people and situations as our Lord sees them, we are generous and not in judgement:

Keeping God as our focus + Being willing and obedient to the promptings of the Holy Spirit = Being His vessel of His design