Therefore,
as God's people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion,
kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive
whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord
forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all
together in perfect unity." Colossians 3:12-14
The
truth is we are all God's people, every person on this earth. Some may be
adrift in their minds, but this does not make them less loved by God than we
are. The original article I read was aimed at mothers, but it certainly applies
to every one every day. There are so many things that stir us to anger, but it
profits us nothing to get lost in that anger. Compassion and love is the only
way that we will win free.
I
have used the word God through all of this, as was done with the originator,
but you may substitute whatever name suits your belief system. I admit freely
that the Christian Bible KJV is the source of this post, but a truth is a
truth, regardless of who spoke it. I find that most great teachers such as
Jesus, Buddha, and Mohammad all have the same teachings in their repertoire. I
just have easier access to a Christian Bible.
I'd like to share the 5 Verses that Jen
Deible posted on her blog thebettermom.com. I found these to have a wider impact than just
for moms, and wanted to share the wider aspect with my friends. I left
the bible content as is, but expanded the prayer to encompass a wider meaning
that applies to humanity in its entirety.
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up
anger." Proverbs 15:1
Dear God, let my answers be gentle. Remove any harshness
from my words, from my heart, from my spirit. Let me not be one who stirs up
anger in the world, rather one who can turn away wrath and cultivate
gentleness. Amen.
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with
salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Colossians 4:6
Dear God, season my words with your Salt and let them
"taste" good to those who receive them. Fill my conversations and
words with grace. Help me know how to answer everyone...for there are so many
questions to be answered in life. Amen.
Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is
my delight." Psalm 119:77
God, I know that I cannot give what I do not possess. Let
Your Compassion fall fresh on me today, Lord. Minute by minute, that I might
live fully in the light of your Grace and that I might be a tangible extension
of that Compassion to my family, and the world. Amen.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father
of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles,
so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have
received from God." 2 Corintians 1:3-4
How wonderful you are, God! Thank you for comforting me
in my times of need - in sadness, anger, frustration and fatigue. Please help
me to use that comfort to be a comfort and encouragement to the world as they
experience their own time of struggle. Amen.
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe
yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear
with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one
another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on
love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Colossians 3:12-14
Oh Father, how I need your help! Help me to put on
compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience minute by minute. Let
that be what others see when they look at me. And help me to forgive myself for any negative thoughts that I have of others. Cover me with Love of God and all living beings. You are Love, so fit yourself over me that all these things would come
together in unity to help me be the extension of your love that you intended me to be. Amen.
