If I know everything there is to know about everything, but don’t take the chosen disadvantage, I am walking around with headphones in my ears, talking to myself.
If I know all the right things to say and can do magic the likes of which you’ve never seen, but don’t take your phone calls, my words are meaningless propaganda.
If I pull out all the stops and seek out new ways to martyr myself and give to every “popular charity”, but can’t bring myself to make eye contact with somebody that may have nothing to offer me, then my smoldering, sacrificed corpse means as much as a weenie roast.

When I’m choosing the disadvantage I am not reacting instantly and instinctively – I am giving myself time to react appropriately.
When I’m choosing the disadvantage I am embracing quiet surrender and becoming a humble servant.
When I’m choosing the disadvantage I am willing to celebrate the success of others without judging them or myself.
When I’m choosing the disadvantage I don’t have a trophy display, but I am calling out the greatness in others.
When I’m choosing the disadvantage I am telling myself “Dude, get over it! Get over yourself! You aren’t more important than anyone else!”
When I’m choosing the disadvantage I am not giving people the the cold shoulder – I am receptive and open-hearted.
When I’m choosing the disadvantage I’m shutting my eyes and refocusing.
When I’m choosing the disadvantage I am not fighting fire with fire.
When I’m choosing the disadvantage I am laying down my rights to retribution.
When I’m choosing the disadvantage I am not getting excited when others suffer or fall, but I am stoked in who they really are.
When I’m choosing the disadvantage I am enveloping the beloved, including all of the pain from the past and empathizing.  I am believing and hoping for them to become their “child of God” self and willing to be a part of the awful process.

We can’t hang our hats merely on what the Holy Spirit is giving us in the moment; we have to continually exercise being aware of those who are left out and seek to include them because the love that Jesus shows us sustains us, both momentarily and continually. Maturity means theres

the Bridge did their own version of 1 Cor 13

no room for waiting around for the next wave of spiritual fads; now is the time for vulnerability.

When we watch Jesus work we can develop a courage to see past our triggers and beyond medicating our pain, to who we truly are.

You can count on this – this stuff don’t rust.