The Sticky Stuff Solution
I hate price tag stickers. They stick with stubbornness to my new pretty purchases. I voiced this opinion loudly in sheer frustration last Tuesday evening, and my husband came to my rescue. He indicated that he had some “stuff” in the garage that would remove the offensive sticker. I yielded my possession to Him, and off he went into his man cave. Five minutes later, he returned with the sticker completely gone. I must admit that I wished I had invited him into the situation earlier as I had spent a lot of useless energy trying to do the impossible on my own.
As the week has progressed, I found myself thinking about this magical solution that helps remove sticky stuff with such ease. I longingly wished I could apply this liquid wonder to other situations. Would it work if applied to a stubborn heart? Perhaps the “sticky stuff solution” could remove the dross from the stony heart of my “tough cookie” that is so desperately blind to his need of the Savior? This week, as I was digging “Into the Word,” I discovered that God does provide a solution — a balm that helps to loosen up a rocky soul:
Don’t you see
how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you?
Does this mean nothing to you?
Can’t you see
that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?
Romans 2:4, NLT
Do you see God’s remedy? I am called to extend God’s kindness to others. He forgives our sins past, present, and future. As I mirror His grace to others, stubborn hearts soften to His love and leading. Rather than striving to knock some sense into the willful, I need to surrender the “sticky situation” to my Jesus. Softening the stubborn heart is His specialty.
Q4U: How has God’s kindness helped soften up the stony places in your heart? Do you have a tough cookie in your life? I would love to chat with you in the comment section below.
Every Monday we will be working our way through Anne Graham Lotz’s 52-week study “Into the Word.” Hop on over to the 3dLessons4Life Blog Facebook Page to join us as we dig into God’s Word together.
Linking up with a like-minded sisters at Faith Filled Friday, Thought Provoking Thursdays, God -Bumps and God-Incidences, Allume, Soli Deo Gloria @ Finding Heaven and “Hear it on Sunday, Use it on Monday!”
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My husband loves me unconditionally and consistently for 22 years. I realize that extending love and grace to someone, even when your emotions feel the other way, is the best way to reach a tough cookie. It has been the way of grace for me with mine.
I agree, Shelly! I just try to “pray through” and keep quiet so that my mouth won’t get me into trouble. 🙂
oohh – conviction here. I too often try the “knock some sense in” method instead of the “surrender the stiuation to Jesus” method. You’d think I’d learn since He always does such a better job. Like you said, softening hearts is His specialty! Thanks for your post, my friend!
I think with family sometimes it’s even harder for me to wait and pray and love. I just want to shake some sense into my loved one…
Great analogy! Grace is our sticky stuff solution. Applying it may not come naturally to me, but God has poured enough onto me that I can’t help but let Him keep pouring it through me onto others.
I am in awe of how God’s grace for me never runs out…. extending His grace to others is such a picture of redemption.
I like that visual! I can definitely see some sticky residue from my stubbornness at times, but again the solution works every time. Wish I wouldn’t go back to that same type of tag that continues to leave that sticky residue. And then again, I’m a work in progress! Thank you for your words!
Me, too! So glad He is not finished with me yet… 🙂
Cookies are my favorite food group. Just the mention of them makes me want to get up and bake some.
I love thinking that I’m a mirror for God’s grace. I want to be faithful–in my own heart ad to the hearts of others.
thank you for that wonderful perspective on my tough cookie! He is a sweetie down deep.
Thanks for sharing! I definitely have a few “tough cookies” in my life so thanks for reaffirming the need to show grace and kindness. I find that I often justify my less than graceful thoughts and words by comparing myself to others when my standard is Jesus and his mercy and grace towards me.
Recently when I felt discouraged by someone, I decided I would find at least 3 people to encourage. And 3 people instantly came to mind– I remembered things I had wanted to say to them, but had not yet said them, so I sent each one a note. And you know what? My other situation no longer felt so sticky!
Love that! I need to be more purposeful about sending encouragement notes to friends and family. Technology is great, but there is something extra special about a card in the mailbox.
Beautiful the way He washed you in His Word.
I have thought of this in relation to my children. How it’s so easy to yell and nag and gripe. And it gets *some* results. Outwardly. But inwardly, they are shriveling.
We are not so different, I think, me and them. Both motivated best by the “kindness” which leads to repentance. Yes, good really is the only way to overcome evil. Of any kind.
Thank you for a sweet meditation.
Leaving here blessed today! 🙂
Yes, good overcoming evil! Love that focus. I need to have that phrase on “repeat” in my mind for those difficult moments.
We have a bottle of “Goo-Gone” around here somewhere. And yep… I’m pretty sure I need it for my heart on a pretty regular basis! … I’m continually blessed by your posts, sister. I’m so glad you link up!
He actually used a scraper as well. I big shiny one with a razor blade on the end. I definitely don’t want to get to the point where God has to apply that to my heart….
Seems like this is a lesson I learn and then forget. I realize that Jesus is the one who changes the heart and I commit to pray and turn it to him. And then sometime, usually months later I have forgotten and am inwardly yelling in frustration again.
I am the same way. It’s the waiting part that is so hard. I know that He is working in ways that I can’t see, but some days I just wish I could get a glimpse…
Oh, this is just beautiful! I just yelled out my frustration at these very stickers last weekend!
And I do have someone like that, just a constant stubborn sticky mess so often marring everything up, and I’m not gracious…I’m downright sinful in the way I think and talk about her. Fact is, God hasn’t called me to change her, just love her, and He will work on the rest.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for the beautiful picture!
A big stubborn, sticky mess indeed! I know that God is able… we will pray and love one! 🙂
Just stopping by to say hello to my new SDG small group friend! Love your price tag analogy! I’m looking forward to reading more and getting to know you through our small group. Blessings in all the stickiness!
Hi Alicia! I am so excited about small group. Thanks for stopping by! Here’s to heaven where the sticky situations will be no more. 🙂
a great analogy!!! This post was a blessing to me today…I needed this!!!
Just wow.
And I totally hate that sticky stuff too!
This has been a sticky week foe us!!!