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Nuggets of Wisdom
Words to inspire, motivate, and guide you to
Successful
Living
Actions and Thoughts for Success
This week we received a number of
interesting articles in our mailbox. The wisdom included in these
writings served as inspiration and reminders for us. We thought that you,
too, might enjoy them.
The first article, Think Before You Talk,
is a reminder of something we need to consider every waking moment.
Words do hurt, but they can also heal. We have to make a concerted
effort to make sure that our words do not harm.
The second article, Willing Obedience,
reminds us that God knows our heart, so when we follow the Word, we need to
do so willingly. Can you imagine grudgingly offering thanks to God as
if He can’t figure out that you don’t mean it? I hope not. Here
on earth, most people with whom you interact can also tell when you are
doing something grudgingly or willingly. Let’s say that you agree to
run an errand for someone, or do something else nice for them such as
preparing a meal. However, your actions include slamming doors and
pans, and muttering under your breath. Think they might figure out
that your heart is not willing? I think so.
So, read these articles and let the
messages they contain guide you during the coming week.
"Words are
loaded pistols." French philosopher
Jean-Paul Sartre
Words have many
meanings, depending on who's speaking them and who's hearing them. While
you may be tempted to blurt out the first thought that comes to your mind
in many situations, it's important to just bite down on the first words
that pop into your head when someone makes you angry...
Then, when you do
speak, use the "mirror technique." In other words, repeat back to
the person the exact words he or she said to you.
For example, say your
supervisor (we'll call him John) comes into your office at 4:30 on Friday
afternoon and says, "We need this project by Monday morning at eight
for the board meeting." Your first reaction might be to lash back with
"I can't" or "That's impossible" or "Lack of
planning on your part does not create a weekend emergency for me."
Others may have a string of expletives that are always loaded on the tips
of their tongues, ready to fire right back at John or anyone else who pulls
their emotional trigger.
So, pause. Repeat
John's words back at him. This forces you to resist an emotional response
and instead enables you to concentrate on exactly what he said. It keeps
you focused on the issue at hand. You're not talking about how angry or
frustrated you feel. And you're not venting about how this person gets on
your last nerve because he's always overloading you with work that was due
an hour ago.
"If you
are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land" (Isaiah
1:19).
God wants you to have the best in life. He wants to give
you the good of the land. God tells us in His Word how to activate His
promises in our lives. Notice this verse doesn't say that just obedience
will cause you to eat the good of the land, it says we have to be willing
and obedient. God isn't just concerned with our actions. He's looking at
the motives of our hearts. He wants us to understand His goodness and
kindness which draws our hearts toward Him. He wants us to receive His love
that causes us to respond to Him with love and obedience in return. Don't
just serve God out of obligation today. Don't just read the Word because
you think you have to. Instead, open your heart and see His goodness.
Receive His love and acknowledge His faithfulness in your life. Let your
willing obedience open the door to God's blessing. As you serve Him with a
willing attitude, you will experience His favor and increase and live the
abundant life He has for you.
Be Be
sure to visit www.llife.org/events.htm
often to see class dates. Take a look at a video
from our most recent acquisition. the site of our future Farmers
Market in East Saint Louis >
Until Next
Week,
Dr. Gerald and the Successful Living Team
LLIFE
110 N. Main Street
East St. Louis, IL 62210
618-875-8875
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