BEYOND REACTION | Don't Underestimate the Kindness of God ❖ 233

"I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear."— Martin Luther King Jr.

LOVE IS...
BEYOND REATION

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

• You can be spiritually brave without being spiritually venomous. True power is found in choosing love over fear.
• A "Clarence" mentality—steadfast, kind, and traditional—is the spiritual antidote to a chaotic world.​

• "Keep Your Love On" is a radical act of self-control and a powerful choice to take responsibility for your own emotions.
• God’s kindness is a model for our own. His resolute refusal to let go of us is an echo of His own character that He hears in us.

What does taking responsibility for your own emotions truly look like in your life? Is it blaming others? Or is it choosing to respond in a way that honors your inner peace, your identity, who you know you truly are?" —Kristen Wambach

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In this conversation, Kristen Wambach explores the themes of chaos, emotional response, and the power of kindness in navigating life's challenges. Through personal stories and reflections, she emphasizes the importance of maintaining one's identity and love in the face of turmoil, encouraging listeners to choose kindness over fear and to recognize their God-given identity.

In a world that often feels like a country in chaos and turmoil, it’s tempting to feel the pressure to react. When the world rages, what do we do? We can so easily adopt a new identity—one that's fierce, reactive, and defensive. Today, on the Interviewing Jesus Podcast, I want to share a story that Holy Spirit asked me to tell, one from almost forty years ago. In it, you will find fear, misunderstanding, and a beautiful miracle that taught me a profound lesson about kindness, identity, and the power of love.

Do you... respond or become like a cobra? Someone who coils and gets ready to strike, who protects power and danger to keep the world at bay?" —Kristen Wambach

My story begins in Aurora, Oregon, at what we called “the train house.” One day, while waiting for my kindergartner, Joseph, the train tracks were blocked. And from a parked freight train, a very large man in camouflage clothing hopped out and began walking towards me. My first thoughts were a rush of fear. But Holy Spirit gave me a different perspective, reminding me of my recent prison ministry. This man’s name, he told me with a tough voice, was Cobra.

In that moment, I had a choice. Would I meet his fear and anger with my own? Would I see him as a symbol of the world's chaos? Then, the brilliance of God whispered, "Ask him what his mother calls him." That simple question changed everything. The man’s demeanor of power and protection melted away, and he sheepishly replied, "Clarence."

"Do not underestimate God's kindness. The wealth of His benevolence and His resolute refusal to let go of us is because He continues to hear the echo of His likeness in us." —Kristen Wambach

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Who told you it wasn't working? 

We are all called to live a life that reflects God's identity, our "original name." The greatest principle is love. This brings us to the most crucial part of our discussion, a truth from Romans 2:4: “Do not underestimate God’s kindness. The wealth of His benevolence and His resolute refusal to let go of us is because He continues to hear the echo of His likeness in us.”

God’s kindness is not weakness. It is a powerful, resolute choice to never abandon us. Why? Because He sees Himself in us, in our hearts. In the same way, when we choose to be a "Clarence" and to keep our love on, we are allowing the echo of His likeness to be heard by a world in desperate need of hope. Our kindness is not just a personal choice; it is a divine reflection.

The metaphor of Cobra vs. Clarence is so vital for our current times. A Cobra persona is a self-protective identity, a response to hurt, fear, and feeling “stepped on.” It’s a spirit filled with brokenness and confusion that says, “don’t tread on me.” This is the spirit we so often see in our world today. In contrast, the name Clarence represents a spirit of tradition, peace, and unwavering character. This identity doesn't need to announce itself or project an outward image of power. It has the fortitude to stay grounded in love, even when the world is shaking. This is the true power we are called to embody.

My encounter with Clarence was a miracle of kindness. It reminds me of the feelings and attitudes our Vietnam veterans were met with—negative, hostile, and indifferent—a painful contrast to the "hero's welcome" our World War II vets received. This veteran, who likely suffered from social stigma and a lack of support, had every right to respond with a Cobra spirit. But by choosing to see him as Clarence, I was able to offer him food, pray for him, and witness a beautiful double rainbow as a sign of God's promise.

RECORDED LIVE

Chapters
00:00 Navigating Chaos and Emotions
19:03 The Power of Kindness and Identity
31:05 Choosing Love Over Fear
36:29 _Intro ONLY Video no sound IJP.mp4

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend who may be navigating chaos in their own life. I invite you to join me in prayer.

"Our ability to keep our love turned way up, it's a personal choice. It's a divine reflection." —Kristen Wambach

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Thank you so much for following me on my QUEST - 70 questions asked by famous Interviewers and Podcasters: Last Week
This week's question: Where did you grow up, and did that affect who you became? My first breath was breathed in Los Angeles, CA. Then, at the age of five, my family moved to the Pacific Northwest to be near my grandparents.  I have lived here all of my days, minus five years, in San Diego, where I met Don, my husband of 41 years. 

Raised on a farm, three brothers and a passel of farm animals around me.