Ignore it

If someone calls you fat, just ignore them. You are bigger than that.

To ignore is to refuse to pay attention to; to disregard; to pass over or by without notice; to treat as if not known; and to leave out of account.

I am reading through Job in my One Year Bible, and three friends of Job keep telling him their opinion of why calamity had befallen him. It is very hard to stomach the way they go on and on calling Job on the carpet. But through it all Job never sins by turning his back on God.

Sometimes we just have to ignore the negative and focus on the positive of God.

The intro to the Book of Job in The Living Bible states:

“Job recognizes that we do not so much need ‘answers’ to life’s problems, as much as we need God Himself. We need to trust in God why things happen the way they do. It is possible to rise above our limitations by faith in God, because He knows why everything happens and will work it for good for those who love Him. We may thus learn the profound truth that when we have nothing left but God, God is enough.”

In previous posts I’ve mentioned if what ever negative is distracting me from my purpose, then it’s none of my business. I read something recently that said, “What if we live our life as if I AM is everything we’ll need. What would your day look like?”

I don’t want to be that friend that when you call to chat, I unload all the negative that is occurring in my life, droning on and on. You put the phone down, unload the dishwasher, come back and I am still going on, never even aware that you’d left. Venting occasionally is fine, when you need extra prayer support, but all the time? No. Because then I will be the friend who has no friends, for no one wants to get sucked into drama on a regular basis. I AM is all the counselor I need. I have unlimited access to Him 24/7, and He delights in communicating with me.

“I AM He before whom there was nothing, indeed, by whom everything
that is made, was made: and I shall remain though everything
else should perish.” (Isa. 43:10 [Geneva Study Bible])

“I AM with you and I WILL watch over you wherever you go. For I AM and
I WILL do everything that I have spoken and promised to you.” (Based on Gen 28:5)

“I AM with you. I AM your God.
I WILL strengthen you. I WILL uphold you.” (Based on Isa. 41:10)

“I AM who is, who was and who is to come.” (Rev. 1:8)

“I AM with you that is all you need.” (2 Cor 12:9a [TLB])

“Yes, because God’s your refuge, the High God your very own home,
evil can’t get through the door. He ordered his angels to guard
you wherever you go.” (Ps 91:9-11 [MSG])

I need to quit allowing evil to get through the door. If I keep talking about the negative, I give it top priority in my life, and that makes it an idol. I’m focusing more on it than on I AM, who is abundantly able to deal with it.

But I need to replace the negative. How do I do that?

“Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.” (Phil. 4:8-9 [MSG])

True- faithful, loyal, correct, rightful, accurately fitted, real, genuine
Noble- having high moral qualities, excellent, grand
Reputable- having a good reputation
Authentic- credible, reliable, genuine, real
Compelling- to drive together
Gracious- having or showing kindness, courtesy, charm, compassionate, polite
Best- good, most excellent, most suitable. desirable, the highest degree, the utmost
Beautiful- quality of being very pleasing
Praiseworthy- to be worthy of approval or admiration
Excellent- to be better or greater than
Harmonious- arranged in an orderly or pleasing way combined to give/have a pleasing effect

Because then I can live knowing God alone is all I need. Really let that sink in for a moment. God alone is all we need!

“Whom have I in heaven but You? I desire You more than anything on earth.” (Ps. 73:25 [NLT])

I need to change my focus on I AM because HE WILL! Will you join me?

© Fluffy Puppy Publishing All Rights Reserved