"Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you."
Ephesians 4:31-32
Lists are good reminders. Of course, it can seem overwhelming to try to master all of these things at once, but I think that they are all pointing to the same ideal--basically that we need to be nice to each other. The first verse of the selection are some things we should avoid that might lead to unkindness, and the second some clarification about how to be nice, pointing out that tenderness and forgiveness are essential.
It's hard to overcome these things, and it isn't done all at once. It is going to require more than one try, and a lot of forgiveness, which is probably one of the reasons that was included. We are unlikely to be able to decide not to be angry one day and then never to feel the emotion again. However, if we are watching for things that can lead to anger, perhaps like bitterness or clamour, we can try to solve some of the underlying issues a different way.
Today, let's work on being nice to each other, not only in the moments that we find it difficult, but working back from there to the things that get us angry or in a bad mood in the first place. If we work on those things, it might help us find another way of dealing with these situations when they come up, and we will likely find it easier and easier as we work on it to choose a different emotion, and action, and pattern in our lives.
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you."
Ephesians 4:31-32
Lists are good reminders. Of course, it can seem overwhelming to try to master all of these things at once, but I think that they are all pointing to the same ideal--basically that we need to be nice to each other. The first verse of the selection are some things we should avoid that might lead to unkindness, and the second some clarification about how to be nice, pointing out that tenderness and forgiveness are essential.
It's hard to overcome these things, and it isn't done all at once. It is going to require more than one try, and a lot of forgiveness, which is probably one of the reasons that was included. We are unlikely to be able to decide not to be angry one day and then never to feel the emotion again. However, if we are watching for things that can lead to anger, perhaps like bitterness or clamour, we can try to solve some of the underlying issues a different way.
Today, let's work on being nice to each other, not only in the moments that we find it difficult, but working back from there to the things that get us angry or in a bad mood in the first place. If we work on those things, it might help us find another way of dealing with these situations when they come up, and we will likely find it easier and easier as we work on it to choose a different emotion, and action, and pattern in our lives.
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