Taking a break from my story. Let's just start out with this:
"I urge you, walk in a manner that is worthy of the calling to which you have been called...Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."
That's Ephesians 4:1, 25-32. This verse has served as a reminder for me to not allow things that happened in my past still be on my mind torturing me today. It's so easy to claim you have the "upper hand" on someone because you may have done the right thing in one moment. Likewise, it's really easy for me (and I'm sure lots others) to allow one mistake to take hold and convince me that I'm a bad person. However, dwelling on either of those thoughts does nothing to help us build up each other as we're so earnestly called to do.
Hell, look at all the positive this verse contains:
- Don't give the devil a chance
- Turn the sinful life around
- Be positive, don't gossip (can I get an amen?)
- Get over it
- Love each other
I'm nowhere near being the "good" person I'm supposed to be, but I'm so thankful for lessons like this that give me confidence to keep on keepin' on. Happy Sunday!
Good stuff, Pearson :-)
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