Worship Series #6: Going Against the Grain

I have discovered that much of living a life passionate about worshiping the Lord causes one's actions to fly in the face of convention. Often, my choices to worship the Lord present themselves as "going against the grain".

- Though the world tells me I have the right to defend my character, I worship the Lord by allowing Him to be my defense.
-Though the world tells me that I have a right to happiness, I worship the Lord by trusting that He is always alongside me, even in my pain.
- Though many tell me that sarcasm, humorous nit-picking and one-upping are harmless forms of wit, I can worship the Lord by speaking words that build up and don't tear down.
- When my flesh screams to hold on to what I've done or what I've earned, I worship the Lord by placing it all in His hands to do with as He pleases, and trusting in His sureness with it.
- When surrounded by opinions of how to parent and raise everything-healthy kids, I worship the Lord by relying on His Word, and prayerfully engaging in my multi-layered role of disciplinarian, encourager, way-pointer and comforter.
-When tempted to fall into the common belief and practice that self comes first, I worship the Lord by keeping Him on the Throne.
-When surrounded by groups who cling to their own kind, I worship the Lord by clinging to Him and allowing Him to love all people though me.
-When scoffed at for being rigid with media choices, I worship the Lord by remaining true to what I believe to be honorable decisions.
-When admonished to believe that all hurt or pain is caused by the adversary, I worship the Lord by acknowledging His plan often includes suffering for the purposes of growth in Him and His glorification.
-When admonished to believe that hurt or pain are caused by an aloof or uncaring God, I worship Him by acknowledging His supremacy, compassion and intimate care of His little lambs.
-When surrounded by freedom of choice in every aspect of life, I worship the Lord by humbly remaining enslaved to righteousness.
-When confronted by myriad interpretations and opinions of the life of a disciple, I worship the Lord by forsaking my opinion and even my own experiences and submitting them to the infallible Word of God.


What are some other ways our lives of Worship go against the grains of worldy- or Christian-society?