Procedure Manual Step 5:
Procedure Manual Step 5:
The fear of God came on all the surrounding kingdoms
when they heard how the LORD had fought against the enemies
of Israel. And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace,
for his God had given him rest on every side.
(2 Chronicles 20:29 – 30)
Thought for the Day: My reactions testify to the kind of relationship I have with Jesus and the kind of effect He has on my heart.
We’ve covered the first four steps of the procedure manual, and today we’re covering the most important step of all: Your reactions determine your reach. Each step we’ve covered so far builds to this fifth step. Remember what we’ve learned:
Though Jehoshaphat was alarmed, he was resolved to inquire of the Lord. He felt alarmed but stayed resolved.
He kept his focus on the Lord.
He stayed in the flow of God’s power by being obedient to God’s Word.
It wasn’t easy, but Jehoshaphat shifted from having an attitude to practicing gratitude.
Because Jehoshaphat did each of those things, his reaction positively affected everyone around him, not only in his own kingdom but in surrounding countries. This is the kind of leader I want to follow. This is the kind of leader I want to be. Not that I’m leading a kingdom, but I am influencing the people around me.
The interactions I have with my kids, my husband, my friends, my neighbors, my church, even the checkout clerk at my local grocery store—they matter. My reactions testify to the relationship I have with Jesus and the effect He has on my heart. After all, I’m reminded in the Bible that out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. When my happy gets bumped, what’s really going on in my heart is on display. In those times I will either add to the authenticity of my love for Jesus or, sadly, negate it.
Yes, my reactions determine my reach. That’s why when I feel the great unglued coming on, I want to train my mind to remember each step, each truth, each choice Jehoshaphat made. Then I want to train my heart to have the courage to implement each one.
So here’s the short version of my predetermined biblical procedure manual all in one place:
1. Alarmed, I resolve to remember who I am.
2. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.
3. Stay in the flow—my job is obedience; God’s job is results.
4. Shift from an attitude to gratitude.
5. My reactions determine my reach.
Instead of avoiding the fact that I come unglued, I’m tackling it head-on. I want to give myself every fighting chance to make wise choices in the midst of raw emotions. And a predetermined plan is a good thing to create and implement. Care to join me? Not that your plan will look the same as mine. Feel free to take this idea and make it your own. The best kind of plan for you is the one you’ll follow.
Dear Lord, in times when my happy gets bumped, help me to add to the authenticity of my love for You, not negate it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
From the book
