Accountability, is For All!
Today I give great honor and profuse thanks to one individual among a few others that I have much respect for.
Over the past few years of re-entry into part time Pastoral Counseling, I’ve been extremely blessed to connect with some wise and highly skilled Christian Counselors and those who work in specific areas of Pastoral counseling focus.
I’ve embraced a deeper understanding of accountability and dialog with these gracious and discerning people.
It’s broadened my place of personal growth as well as providing “fresh eyes” to look at my own life and how much emotional and spiritual capital I choose to (or not) invest into others.
Accountability is not just for those who are weak, needy, or for wimps; it’s for the strong who want to be stronger and the unconnected who need to be connected.
If you think, as an individual this is still just for the weak, consider that greatness and true, freeing authenticity can’t come about without humility and connection (James 4:7-12; 1 Peter 5: 1-11)!
“Real men” will be accountable to other real men, and real godly women will be connected to other godly women, (Proverbs 31).
There is no way around this vital call! God gives us the call to be deeply connected to one another because we need it.
The leaders in the Bible knew this well. Jesus modeled this for us, and the only hindrance is our willingness to comply.
Being a disciple of Christ and making disciples requires devotion, nurturing, commitment to the Word, and worship.
Most mature Christians would agree about these basics, but other things required include discipline, the willingness to search out and study God’s word for proper growth and spiritual development, and to be accountable.
Knowing when you give out too much and letting others who don’t have equal personal work taking place in their lives, is a much needed course adjustment when you are merciful in nature and supportive.
You need to be among those whom you are absolutely able to have equal communication, compassion and growth that continues with.
Our humble and basic starting point to adjust our path is God’s character. Peter tells us “we are to be holy because God is holy,” (1 Peter 1:16)
The way we can respond to this call is by being accountable in our personal lives as believers and for me, as a wife and as a minister and Pastoral Counselor.
Each believer needs to realize that one of their calls is to participate in conflict management or so that the wickedness of our nature doesn’t get out of hand and so our relationships and opportunities don’t fail.
Sometimes that means you remove yourself from abusive situations or chronically angry or spiritually stunted relationships. You stop rescuing and enabling.
God’s Word gives us the guidelines and focus for proper confrontation and the management of problems so we can be more effective in His service.
The help that I receive and submit myself to willingly because of the stability and wisdom of those in my circle offer to me has created a safe and great freedom in moving into fresh opportunities and trusting God to provide all I need in each change, challenge and adjustment in life.
I am so very, very thankful for the rich investment those gracious “others” have poured into my life.
”A friendly discussion is as stimulating as the sparks that fly when iron strikes iron. A workman may eat from the orchard he tends; anyone should be rewarded who protects another’s interests,” Proverbs 27:17-18.
In His Shadow,
~ Mary Lindow ©
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” THE MESSENGER ” ~ Mary Lindow
www.marylindow.com
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Mary Lindow has a passion for encouraging others – all generations, careers or vocations to live expressing excellence through personal integrity, healthy accountability, and wise management of talents and skills. She’s a sought after keynote, inspirational, humorous speaker and teacher across the USA and internationally in Ministers & Spiritual leaders Conferences, and training seminars for various organizations.
Great word for me as it’s something I’ve been dealing with myself, learning to walk with God and the talk I talk is a full time self talk I continually have to deal with on a day to say basis… Thanks for your words of encouragement Rocki
Yahleluyah.