“Indeed, this is our boast, the testimony of our conscience: we have behaved in the world with frankness and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God–and all the more toward you.” (2 Corinthians 1:12) Looking back over his contentious years with the Corinthians, Paul may have been tempted to regret. There were certainly people who blamed him for the conflict and confusion. He found consolation, however, in his conscience that the Spirit of God had led him to be frank and sincere. Not fun conversation, but necessary. Not worldy wise, but heavenly. I am recovering the confidence that my value to Christ will not be measured by whether people were always happy with me. Jesus is proof that the critics are not always correct. The real standard of success for all of us will be whether or not our relationships were guided and shaped by the grace of God, the Spirit of God.
Your last sentences spoke so directly to my heart…..(I am recovering the confidence that my value to Christ will not be measured by whether people were always happy with me…. The real standard of success for all of us will be whether or not our relationships were guided and shaped by the grace of God, the Spirit of God.) I have such a hard time with conflicts and would rather walk around the mountain twice than to face conflict, keeping people happy with me… Thank you for this strong word of wisdom concerning the real standard of success….. I truly desire that my relationships, family, friend, otherwise, to be shaped and guided by the Spirit of God. I am thankful so much for Godly guidance.