Can Old Rivalries and Jealousies Be Muted?

Holidays are designed to bring families together to celebrate events and special occasions. Joyful family get-togethers solicit from each person their best in generosity and compassion while holding in check whatever incompatibilities and immaturities that have always existed.

When stress builds up, however, individual immaturities will try to disrupt all peace and joy. In some families peace and joy are so fragile they have to be guarded to prevent conflict from erupting. So special effort is required to prevent old rivalries and jealousies from surfacing.

One simple rule to follow is to keep focused on the good that God provides. 

Proverbs 16:21 gives this reminder for peaceful, joyful fellowship: “Wise, mature people are known for their understanding. The more pleasant their words, the more persuasive they are.” Ask for God’s wisdom to discover compatibilities that are available and it will happen.       

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Are any of you wise or sensible? Then show it by living right and by being humble and wise in everything you do.

~James 3:13 Contemporary English Version

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Tempted by Unhealthy Ambition?

With most people ambition is considered a positive attribute. To lack ambition is viewed as being deprived of initiative and motivation. However, there are those whose ambition exceeds their ability and conditions necessary for reaching an objective. If not attuned to comply with reality, failure will be unavoidable.

The temptation may be to cover up an act of poor judgment by pretending it never happened, which then prevents learning valuable lessons from mistakes and failures that result. It’s important to look closely at ambition to be sure what motivation propels it into action. Good, healthy ambition should always be based on reality and worthy objectives.

Temptation uses ambition by taking advantage of a tendency to be self-centered and greedy, especially in the case of overzealous ambition. Temptation exploits its victim’s misperception of reality. Listen to James 3:13: “Who is wise and understanding among you? Show it by honorable deeds expressed with humility that comes from wisdom.” Godly wisdom is available to those who will use it for godly purposes.              

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God said to us humans, “To be wise, you must have reverence for the Lord. To understand, you must turn from evil.”

~Job 28:28 Good News Bible

 

“Let the one who boasts boast in this: that he [or she] understands and knows me, for I am the Lord who acts with gracious love, justice, and righteousness in the land. I delight in these things,” declares the Lord.

~Jeremiah 9:24 International Standard Version

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What Rules Do You Follow?

Everyone lives by rules that govern their thoughts and behaviors. These rules may be well-defined or just hanging loose in your sub-conscious. Some rules include perfectionist tendencies for safeguarding your integrity. Always being kind and generous, while difficult to do, is practicing the Golden Rule.

A successful college career requires persistent learning and good grades, but honesty and integrity are mainstays for healthy self-esteem. These attitudes and actions build self-respect and confidence. Sampson’s rules for life were based on pride and self-centeredness. He advocated taking shortcuts to wealth and fame, but instead built a bridge to failure and disgrace.

Do the rules you follow produce joy and peace or create anxiety and worry that generate conflict anchored in destructive pride? Rules that assure faithfulness and integrity with respect for others and oneself build a bridge to healthy and secure relationships. God's wonderful imperatives demonstrate his love for you.  

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Are there any of you who are wise and understanding? You are to prove it by your good life, by your good deeds performed with humility and wisdom.

~James 3:13 Good News Bible

Point out your rules to me, Lord, and I won't disobey even one of them. Help me to understand your Law; I promise to obey it with all my heart.

~Psalm 119:33-34 Contemporary English Version

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Subscribe to the Attitude Answers podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear this and other 2-minute features 3 days every week.