May Need to “Do It Scared”!

Respect: Valuing one another highly, treating one another as important, and honoring one another with our words and actions.

(Romans 12:10, 1 Peter 2;17)

Disrespect- to undervalue or abuse

Have you ever been in a restaurant or out shopping and overheard the conversation (argument) between a husband and wife? Of course, you don’t know if it’s a husband or wife, but that’s not the point of the question. Sometimes I have observed a man and woman speaking to each other in ways that sound as if they really dislike each other or see each other as enemies. The volume is not always the indicator of tension. Perhaps it is the facial expression, the hand gesture, or the tension in the words revealing their lack of respect for each other, in particular, and those around them incidentally.

Or perhaps you were privy to the conversation between a parent/adult and a child. At times the child seems more like a “thing” in the adult’s estimation, rather than a person. I know adults need to have tough conversations and children sometimes need correction, but it matters how, when, and where it is done. Doesn’t it? Especially if respect is valued.

So much could be said about either of these scenarios. The only focus for today’s 52 Week Plan is how respect is communicated or not. When you hear kindness and patience illustrated in a conversation, you may think “Those people love and respect each other!” “That parent really values that child!”

Respect for spouse/friend, child, parent, coworker, or neighbor is a key element in illustrating the love of God. God certainly values His relationship with us and provides truth and love in Jesus so that we can know better how valued we are and how to respect/value others.

1.  Think about how Jesus valued those around him and spoke truth, love, kindness, and respect to them. He, though busy, important and God, respected children, and valued a relationship with them. He spoke directly to adults about a child’s place in the kingdom of heaven. He respected and valued many people whom others discarded as unimportant . He values you, respects your life, authored your life, offers you eternal life and an abundant life. We don’t deserve it, but he offers it anyway. Friend, that is valuing and respecting us
2.  Let’s do the scripture: Ephesians 4:31-32 reveals one of the greatest ways we can show respect to another person. God reveals that we are to accept responsibility when we damage a relationship. We show respect by asking for forgiveness. How long has it been since you hurt somebody with words or actions (or silence and inaction)? How long has it been since you admitted your wrong, asked forgiveness from God, and then humbly sought to restore the relationship with the person you hurt/disrespected?
3. In prayer ask God to show you if there is a damaged soul among your friends, family, or acquaintances with whom you need to make amends. If so, would you go to that person, admit you’re wrong, and ask for their forgiveness? This may be one of the few or perhaps the only time that person will ever be respected and valued enough for another human being to acknowledge wrong, ask forgiveness and illustrate how critically important respect is in a healthy relationship . Scary? Sure. Worth it! Absolutely !