Dear Teen Friends,
Are you swimming in an ocean of sharks? Advice recommended to avoid injury are to:
- Know the difference between a dolphin and a shark. While that may seem simple, it’s really not. Why? Well, they both act and look the same until suddenly, “Wham!” Out of nowhere, the shark takes a bite out of you. Discernment in life and with people is needed to thrive. Be wary of sharks with anger problems. True friends will also rejoice in your sorrow and pain (they swim with you, not at you). If you disagree, you are not unfriended or “bitten.” I’ve heard people say that “if you do me or my friend wrong, I’m going to give it to you twice back.” That’s not what God says. Romans 12:19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
- Poke a shark in the eye to escape. Yes, I looked it up. It can work. Am I recommending you to punch someone? Absolutely not. When I think of the word “eye”, again I think of discernment and truth. God leads us the right way. We need to turn to the Lord and use His words for our defense if we are attacked. Just think of David. He said in Psalm 56:2 Be merciful unto me, for man would swallow me up, they are fighting daily to oppress me…………….In God I will praise His word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
- Be in the boat. Last, really it all boils down to discernment and trust in God again. Praying for sharks to have softer hearts, and for conviction in all our hearts (everyone is a sinner, or shark at some point). In the parable of the fish, God is separating between good and bad fish. Does that mean we give up hope on “bad” fish? (Quotation marks used as that question is not meant to label people, just actions).No, but we do discern. We should be careful where and who we swim with, and we pray for hearts to be soft to God’s words and to come under his authority. 1 John 2:9 NIV: “Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness.” Be forgiving, as we have been forgiven. Praying God’ love around you, where ever you are swimming today. Praying for transformation of hearts, as only God can do.
From faithfriend Nellie
flourishings.blog 