Daily InsPirational MOments with Rev. Dr. Precious Prothro

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What Are They Seeing in Us?

I wonder if there is a more eye-opening moment in parenting than seeing ourselves mirrored in our children. It can be infuriating, but it can also wake us up. Yesterday, my daughter reacted to something exactly the way I sometimes do, and it wasn’t pretty. It made me take an honest look at myself.

That lesson reaches beyond parenting. Whether it’s our children, coworkers, friends, or someone at church, people see how we live. We can’t rely on “Do what I say, not what I do.” Our actions speak louder than our words.

My prayer this morning was that God would help me move beyond what my flesh wants to do and make the changes I need to make in both my words AND my actions. My children are watching, and so are others who may look to me.

James 2:17 says, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” We can pray for change and talk about doing better, but we must also put that faith into practice.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Our goal is to please God and treat others well. When our reactions get in the way, we need to take inventory, ask God for help, and choose a better way. What others see in us can leave a lasting lesson. May it be one that points them to Him.

Father, help us see ourselves honestly. Give us patience and self-control, and let our actions reflect Your love. Amen.

Praise While It Hurts

Yesterday, I asked one of our deacons how he was doing with his back pain. He said, “I am just glad I have a back.”

We laughed, but then we talked about being grateful even while we’re in pain. Together, we praised the Lord for the life we have.

His back was still hurting. His praise didn’t come after the pain went away. He was suffering and praising God at the same time.

That isn’t always easy. When life is painful, uncertain, or chaotic, we may feel like we need to wait for things to get better before we can give thanks. But 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to give thanks in everything—even while we are going through it.

We can let pain push us away from God, or we can bring it to Him and draw closer. We can tell Him honestly that it hurts and still praise Him. As James Cleveland sang, “Nobody told me the road would be easy. I don’t believe He’s brought this far to leave me.”

God’s faithfulness doesn’t stop in a hard season. We may still be hurting, but His power, compassion, forgiveness, and love will carry us through.

Father, when we are hurting, draw us closer to You. Help us praise You in the middle of it and trust that You are still with us. Amen.

Release the Hurt; Retain Your Righteousness

Relationship hurt can seem irreparable. When hearts, homes, and trust have been opened, betrayal can leave wounds so deep that people begin to build walls and decide, “Never again.”

David understood the pain of being betrayed by someone he trusted. In Psalm 55, he expressed his anger and anguish honestly. His words are harsh, but they reflect emotions many people experience when trust has been broken.

Yet, in the middle of David’s painful outpouring, he gave us direction:

“Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” (Psalm 55:22)

No matter how deep the hurt or how painful the ending of a relationship may be, we must remain aligned with the righteousness of God. Being wronged does not give us permission to become wrong. Betrayal is not an excuse to seek revenge, return evil for evil, or allow bitterness to control our hearts.

Jesus said: “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)

We can acknowledge the hurt, establish necessary boundaries, and still choose a response that honors God. Healing may take time, but we do not have to let someone else’s actions change who God has called us to be.

Father, help us release the weight of relationship hurt to You. Heal our hearts and help us respond in ways that reflect Your righteousness. Amen.