You may find the following Proverbs to be obvious but, having them in the front of your mind when someone is temporarily angry or irrational could help to bring more productive conversation in the future?
I know many try to do this so keep on trying, God is cheering on peace makers.
Proverb 15:1 " A soft answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up trouble"
In a conversation or argument we have the power to control the direction. No matter who we are taking to we still can direct it. Just remember this Proverb (Word of wisdom).
OK Frank, suppose the guy is a complete idiot? This logic won't apply to him,what do we do?
Proverb 20:3 "It is honorable for a person to stop striving, since any fool can start a quarrel". (The wise one will stop the discussion until a better time no matter what they say)
Proverb 26:4-5 "Do not answer a fool according to his lack of sense or else you will be like him." (he will bring to to his level)
James 1:19 -I know, not a proverb but I love this one "Be quick to listen and slow to speak". This is one of the first things an experienced first responder does. They listen to and observe the situation around them. This information will help them to know what the response and intervention needs to be.
Proverb 13:3 Whoever guards his mouth shall preserve his life but whoever opens their lips wide shall have destruction." Watching what you say will keep a simpler and more peaceful life, but oral diarrhea will cause the contrary).
I hope these help promote more peaceable & productive conversations and decrease inappropriate responses.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Resemblance Part II
In part 1 I wrote about how we can resemble our parents in some ways. It of course can be physically but the more amazing way is in character. How our kids decide somehow to pick certain traits or behaviors to mimic and then become part of who they are as we did with our folks. Another contritbuting factor of our behaviors is our friends. The more we spend time with them the more we can pick up little (or big) traits that add to us being us. Well as a Chaplain of course I will wonder how much do we resemble Jesus?
The answer to this question will be; It depends on how much we know about Him and how much time we spend discovering who He is.
I would like to help in this area. (As I should).
There is enough historical documentation, in addition to the Bible to let us know what Jesus did in His short yet powerful life.
While in His early thirties, Jesus spent all His time making people aware of who God really is. He helped bring a clearer view of God. Jesus was ALWAYS interested in helping others. Even when He was very tired He still looked at the multitude of people that followed Him as "sheep without a shepherd and had compassion on them"(Matthew 9:36). Many times, as we know He responded to the call of people to heal their relatives or even come after someone had died. People looked to Him to save them from their crisis. And in many cases He did, even to those who were undeserving or ungrateful. He was their First Responder.
He forgave those who broke certain laws. He reminded people that it isn't good from God's perspective to judge harshly someones actions without considering our own first.
He told us to forgive often, help those in need, consider other's needs more than our own. He was patient with the slow learners and of course He forgave those who beat Him, scoffed Him and falsely accused Him. Jesus was the perfect example of perfect love. I would encourage you to read 1 Corrinthians 13 and read verses 4-8. This is where the Apostle Paul clearly spells out what real love looks like.
This would be a good stopping point for me to take inventory of myself and ask: Do I resemble Him? Are there some traits where someone would notice?
I can safely say I have a long way to go but I know where I want to be.
These are life changing things to have in family, relationships, friendships, community and marriage.
My hope is that you would take time to discover more of who Jesus/God is and decide also to resemble Him. It will truly bring you much more peace that you have now.
The answer to this question will be; It depends on how much we know about Him and how much time we spend discovering who He is.
I would like to help in this area. (As I should).
There is enough historical documentation, in addition to the Bible to let us know what Jesus did in His short yet powerful life.
While in His early thirties, Jesus spent all His time making people aware of who God really is. He helped bring a clearer view of God. Jesus was ALWAYS interested in helping others. Even when He was very tired He still looked at the multitude of people that followed Him as "sheep without a shepherd and had compassion on them"(Matthew 9:36). Many times, as we know He responded to the call of people to heal their relatives or even come after someone had died. People looked to Him to save them from their crisis. And in many cases He did, even to those who were undeserving or ungrateful. He was their First Responder.
He forgave those who broke certain laws. He reminded people that it isn't good from God's perspective to judge harshly someones actions without considering our own first.
He told us to forgive often, help those in need, consider other's needs more than our own. He was patient with the slow learners and of course He forgave those who beat Him, scoffed Him and falsely accused Him. Jesus was the perfect example of perfect love. I would encourage you to read 1 Corrinthians 13 and read verses 4-8. This is where the Apostle Paul clearly spells out what real love looks like.
This would be a good stopping point for me to take inventory of myself and ask: Do I resemble Him? Are there some traits where someone would notice?
I can safely say I have a long way to go but I know where I want to be.
These are life changing things to have in family, relationships, friendships, community and marriage.
My hope is that you would take time to discover more of who Jesus/God is and decide also to resemble Him. It will truly bring you much more peace that you have now.
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