A few days ago, my Dear Friend and sister in Christ, Mandy, shared a post (Post above) that really touched me. It left such an impact that I felt compelled to share it here on my blog (with her permission, of course). I wanted not only to share her powerful words but also to reflect on them and include the comment I left on her post.
Living in the Kingdom of Self (KoS) often feels natural, where our personal wants and frustrations take over. When things don’t go as planned, we get irritated, quick to speak, angry, and impatient. But this mindset conflicts with the Kingdom of God (KoG), where we’re taught to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. Being stuck in KoS makes life feel out of control, like everything has been shaken up, just like a snow globe.
In the Kingdom of God (KoG), the focus shifts. We realize that control isn’t ours to hold. Instead of reacting to every irritation, we are invited to love God and love others. Not every issue needs to be overanalyzed, and many things that once caused frustration just don’t matter as much when seen through grace.
There are times when wanting things to change can lead to frustration with God. We want situations or people to meet our expectations, but this creates tension. Looking back on these moments, we realize how thankful we are that God doesn’t always give us what we ask for. What seems right in the moment isn’t always what’s best for our growth.
Living in the Kingdom of God doesn’t mean ignoring personal preferences. For example, wanting cleanliness may seem selfish, but it can also be about stewardship, honoring what God has entrusted to us. It’s not about expecting perfection, but about finding peace in surrender and balancing our needs with those of others.
The journey is challenging and requires effort to live with godliness instead of focusing on ourselves. Growth takes time and involves letting go of control, choosing Grace, and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our actions and responses. Despite the struggles, we’re reminded that true transformation happens when we align with the Kingdom of God and make space for His Grace in every relationship, decision, and moment.
Here’s the comment I shared on her post.
This speaks to me in so many ways. It’s like reading a mirror of my own heart and struggles. I get the frustration of wanting to hold on to my own sense of control, wanting things to go my way, and feeling rattled when they don’t. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve let my temper fly or my frustration spill over, thinking, *why should I always be the one to give in?*
But then, like you said, there’s that call to live according to the Kingdom of God instead of the Kingdom of Self, and it hits hard. I’m a work in progress for sure. Being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, those words should be etched into my brain. Sometimes I wonder, though, how do we really make this shift without feeling like we’re letting ourselves be walked on?
You mentioned that we’re not supposed to figure this out alone, and that’s the piece I always struggle with. When my emotions are at a boiling point, it’s so easy to feel like I have to manage it myself. But God, in His grace, helps us grow in ways that seem impossible at first, even in those moments where I just want to be heard or seen.
I also loved what you said about stewardship. Wanting things to be clean or organized isn’t about selfishness, it’s about responsibility. That’s something I’m learning too, especially as I’m trying to manage my home and relationships. There’s balance in that, in desiring things to be done well but also not letting it drive me crazy when things go awry.
Your prayer at the end really resonated with me too. *Lord, may You increase as I decrease.* That’s what I want, less of my selfishness and more of His peace, patience, and love. But man, it’s hard work! I’m grateful for the Holy Spirit’s help, though, because without that, I’d be lost.
Be Blessed Mandy and Continue to be a Blessing…
Willie Torres
02/21/2025
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Willie Torres Jr. 
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