Not Of The World

"If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you." - John 15:19

The world is full of so much negativity, if you let it be.  If you take a look through your newsfeed on any social media network, it will be full of people venting their anger, complaining about others, putting others downs, or promoting ideas that are honestly damaging to our minds and hearts. And somehow, we are used to it and don't think twice, absorbing the poison slowly.  It all seems normal.

However, Jesus reminds us that we don't belong to this world.  Sometimes it can feel like you get sucked into it as if you had no choice, almost as if you had to participate or something is wrong with you.  When you give space to what is not of God, your mind aligns with those ideas and your whole being suffers.  There's a saying that goes, "hurt people hurt people," and that's exactly what happens.  People who don't give God space in their lives will only perpetuate that absence of love and its contagious.

So, what can you do?  Tune it out.  Guard your eyes, guard your ears and don't give the enemy a footstool into your soul.  You can choose to ignore and only allow people and things that edify have your attention.  At the end of the day, you have to remember that the only opinion that matters is that of God and how He sees you and the rest of His creation.

Today's Prayer:
Father, You created the world and everything in it, but it is not where I belong.  Show me how to remain pure and not let in anything that will be hurtful to my heart, mind and soul.  Instead, show me how to be a light to others and help bring that light to the world until we are home with You.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.