What Would Jesus Do?
I remember being in third grade and wearing a bright, lime green ankle bracelet that I got at vacation bible school every where I went. I believe I wore it in our Christmas card picture that year and I’m sure the lime green color really made our picture classy, sorry Mom! Although lime green isn’t my color, that little ankle bracelet instilled a great thought process for me. I still to this day love it’s meaning.
If you just say the phrase a few times and let it sink in, it could really impact how you make a decision. “What would Jesus do?” Just go ahead and keep repeating it. I’m sure some situations can come to your mind where you need guidance on how to handle them. And this saying can be your go-to.
Think about who Jesus is and what he embodies. Jesus is kind. He is forgiving. He is quick to listen and slow to anger. He loves. He is more patient than I could ever be. These are the kind of reactions I want to have to a situation I’m facing. I want a be kind, forgiving, patient and slow to anger.
There are so many times that I have been in situations where I have needed to pause and say, “What would Jesus do?” Now, obviously I am human and I get caught up in the moment where I haven’t stopped to think WWJD. I’ve said things I shouldn’t have said and probably reacted in ways I shouldn’t have. In other moments, I’ve gone back to this simple child like saying of “What would Jesus do?”, sought counsel and thought about how to handle the situation in a Christ like way.
I wanted to give you a few resources that I love to reflect on when I’m in a situation I may need help with. It may be situation with someone close to you or just something you’re facing alone. No matter what the situation is, I think Jesus knows the best!
Worrying:
Worry is so exhausting and it can effect me all throughout my day if I let it. Worries about work, worries about my to-do list, worries about safety, I think the list could go on if we let it. But most of this worry is completely unnecessary and unhealthy. I’ve seen Jesus take care of so much worry and prove that He is worthy of my trust! Jesus tells us to not worry about our life. If he can provide food and shelter for the little birds he will do the same for us!
Judging:
Judging others can be one vicious cycle for all involved. We’re all sinners. Big or small we’ve all fallen short and there is no room for judgement. The only one who CAN judge chooses not to and chooses to show love instead. Judgement puts up a huge wall in showing Christ’s love to others. This verse has so much truth and power in it. Part of this scripture says, “Why do you look at the speck of dust in someone else’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own.” In Jesus’ eyes, we are all the same. He does not measure our sin, He does not forgive one and not forgive another based on favor.
Needing Provision:
There are those moments where the unknown is so scary. When we are not sure what direction situations are going to go in… When you’re wanting something so bad and not getting it… Jesus tells us to ask, seek and knock. If you ask for it, it will be given to you, if you seek it you will find it and if you knock, the door will be opened. It may not be in our exact way, but in His perfect plan!
Forgiving:
Forgiveness can be such a hard thing when someone has really hurt us. As much as we hurt, as much as the words spoken to us or the act done rings throughout our heads, Jesus tells us to forgive unlimited. No matter how we hurt Jesus, He forgives us and we should forgive others even when it can be so hard. Maybe it’s not over night, or maybe your relationship with that person isn’t the same as it was before, but your heart will be free!
Loving:
This is another hard one, but loving others will show Christ’s love in the unexpected situations. There are countless situations when loving others can be extremely difficult. It can be hurtful words, it can be that person at work you just don’t agree with or it can be someone has really betrayed you. Jesus commands us to love our enemies and pray for those who blame us. My aunt said something to me that really stuck with me in these situations. She told me “What if this person was Jesus?” What a great outlook to have when loving someone is hard! Thinking of that person as Jesus can change how you would treat them and ultimately it will show His love and shine His light brightly!
Remember, I’m not a pastor and these are just some of my favorite verses and takes on them. 🙂 I hope some of these resources can help when you need to think WWJD. I’ll forever be thankful for that lime green ankle bracelet.