2.1 Discussion Responses
INSTRUCTIONS: Respond to the following two posts. DUE DATE Monday, July 17, 2024.
Cierra
a. Share a specific beatitude with your colleagues and classmates. Specify why it is important to you.
The beatitude that resonates deeply for me is Matthew 5:7, “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy”. The message behind this spoken blessing symbolizes always maintaining compassion and mercy for others no matter the circumstances of the world (Beatitudes, 2024). Since a child, I have always been aware of God placing a spirit of compassion within me that, to me, has always served as a blessing and a curse. Even through difficult times of betrayal, disagreements, or losses, most times, I strive for the high road, even when my emotions are out of whack.
No matter how many times these moments occur in life, it’s important to me to always treat the next person better than I’ve been treated. Everyone is doing life from their perspective, so I believe that if I remain in Christ and in compassion, my personal world will become balanced around me so that I can be used how God intended.
b. Share how you wrestle with one or more of the lessons from the Beatitudes (Sermon on the Mount) and how the Holy Spirit is helping you to overcome obstacles in your life.
The beatitude that I suppose I wrestle with the most would be Matthew 5:4, “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted” and Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God” (Beatitudes, 2024).
Although I stated earlier that I do my best to maintain compassion for others, and always strive to take the high road, it is easy for me to get triggered when those that I am close to are hurt about something. As a human, it is natural to go into protection mode and want to support those around you. Although it is sometimes difficult or uncomfortable during conversations, I have found it helpful to stick to my values and beliefs that I have in Christianity. The Holy Spirit helps guide me through conversations by understanding that I don’t always have the right answer, and sometimes, others just need support and a listening ear. My relationship with God is my own, and although I can preach the gospel to encourage my circle, I can’t assume that they are always feeling strong in their personal relationship with God.
I stick to my values of never supporting violence or breaking peace, and I have found it helpful in calming others down while still allowing them to feel heard and supported.
References
Explanation and Meaning of the Beatitudes in the Bible: Comfort and Guidance in Suffering. (2024, March 4). Walk in the Light – Bible Study – Daily Devotionals; Walk in the Light.
Travis
• Share a specific beatitude with your colleagues and classmates. Specify why it is important to you.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” – Matthew 5:9
This beatitude is important to me because it underscores the value of promoting peace and harmony in our interactions with others. As a colleague and classmate, this beatitude reminds us of the importance of resolving conflicts in a respectful and peaceful manner, fostering a positive and supportive environment where everyone can thrive. It encourages us to strive for understanding, empathy, and reconciliation, ultimately leading to stronger relationships and a more cohesive community.
• Share how you wrestle with one or more of the lessons from the Beatitudes (Sermon on the Mount) and how the Holy Spirit is helping you to overcome obstacles in your life
I find it challenging to embody meekness in a world that often promotes assertiveness, self-promotion, and aggression as the means to succeed. However, I understand that meekness should not be equated with weakness but rather with humility, gentleness, and a willingness to submit to God’s will. My personality type is a defender, so naturally I act as a guardian in all things, but finding a balance is key.
The Holy Spirit helps me to overcome the obstacles in practicing meekness by reminding me of Jesus’ example. Jesus, despite being powerful and having all authority, was meek and humble in heart. I think of Thanos (Marvel Movies), and how when he acquired all of the infinity stones he could snap his fingers and cause half of the world’s population to disappear. Thankfully, Jesus didn’t do that to us! :)Through the Spirit’s guidance, I am learning to cultivate a meek and gentle spirit in my interactions with others, trusting that true strength comes from aligning my will with God’s and relying on His grace.
