Question: When you do not get your way, do your thoughts & actions resemble that of "more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus" or do you play the victim and throw a pity party? 

I am blessed.  That is the bottom line.  I have petitioned God for blessings (a husband, flourishing business, a baby, a home, a community for friends and family, etc).  And He has said, "yes".  And yet, when someone speaks a word, gives a glance or (more likely than not) the baby starts erupting at an inopportune time...I generally cease to be optimistic and loving and turn into the Hulk, growling, "you won't like me when I'm angry". 

I can hold it together and fum when we're out and about, but take me to the car and someone is going to be blamed for my discontentment....after all, it's all because they didn't do ________.  And I become the victim once again and take no responsibility over my words, actions and thoughts.  Well, not until I think about what I've said or look at my husband's tired face.  Then I apologized profusely, confess all my guilt and start over....just to do it all over the next time I don't get my way.

But is this really the life Jesus died for me to have?  I was listening to Joyce Meyer's "Battle field of the Mind" and she said something to the effect of, 'if you can't take authority over the dish washer, how are you going to take authority over demons?'  Sadly I can relate as the full dish washer waiting, waiting and waiting for me to unload it becomes a sense of dread, doom and bondage.

Life is hard and sometimes it feels like life out and out sucks.  Well, feelings lie (regularly), move on and get over your selfish self.  We sponsor a Compassion Int kid.  Recently, a cyclone ripped through her village killing many, filling their farm lands with dead fish and salt water and leaving them without food.  What right do I have to say, "it was a bad day" just because my job was extra demanding for a whole three hours that day?

Church, it's time.  It's time to be different, time to do things God's way instead of blending with the world. 

Revelation 3:16
"So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth."

It's time to stop letting what so-in-so thinks determine your actions.  I haven't found an easy button to hit that turns me from warm to hot.  But God is faithful to reveal, renew and restore when I draw near to Him......when I draw near to Him.