Chill Out

Have you often heard the advice from friends (and family) of “Relax.” Are your unattainable high standards keeping both you frustrated as well as others who either can’t (or won’t) meet your unrealistic expectation for them?[i]

Do the abridged lyrics below of the song, “Priceless[ii],” (as ​performed by King and Country) resonate somewhere inside you?

Verse One

Mirror mirror, mirror on the wall
Tellin' those lies, pointing out your flaws
That isn’t who you are[iii]

Verse Two

It might be hard to hear, but let me tell you dear
If you could see what I can see, I know you would believe
That isn’t who you are
There’s more to who you are

Pre-Chorus

So when it’s late, you’re wide awake
To much to take
Don’t you dare forget that in the pain
You can be brave, can be safe

Chorus

I see you dressed in white
Every wrong made right
I see a rose in bloom[iv]
At the sight of you (oh so priceless)
Irreplaceable, unmistakable, incomparable
Darling, it’s beautiful
I see it all in you (oh so priceless)

It is of utmost importance to have patience (grace) with yourself (and others) when neither of you is able to reach the goals that have been established by you. “…When you choose to be patient, you respond in a positive way to a negative situation. You are slow to anger, choosing to have a long fuse instead of a quick temper. Rather than being restless and demanding, love helps you settle down and begin extending mercy to those around you…

God’s brand of patience – the patience He calls us to embody –is not an occasional thing. It is an ongoing, repetitive response that  we keep doing, again and again…The apostle Paul likely had this attribute of God in mind when he began his description of love by saying, “Love is patient; love is kind…” [v]

Patience brings an internal calm during an external storm. It is a choice to control your emotions rather than allowing your emotions to control you, and it shows discretion instead of returning evil for evil. “[Having an attitude of love with one another]” should become a motto you carry into every day and every potential altercation with [others].”[vi]

---

[i] This post was suggested by my wife, Bobbi. The term, “chill out,” refers to a person calming down (or relaxing).

[ii] “And we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.” (1 Peter 1:4, NLT)

[iii] “Only one person in the whole world can defeat you. That is [you]!” Apples of Gold (compiled by Jo Petty)

[iv] “Men and women don’t live very long; like wildflowers they spring up and blossom.” (Psalm 103:15, MSG)

[v] I Corinthians 13:4

[vi] Adapted from The Love Dare Day by Day (by the Kendrick Brothers), “Day 23: Love is patient,” and “Day 29: Love is consistently patient”