Resolving to Change Feelings and Behavior

In December of 2004 French engineers completed the tallest bridge in existence at that time. It was purported to be the most beautiful bridge ever constructed. While few people literally participate in bridge building, everyone creates bridges throughout his or her lifetime, resulting in either positive or negative consequences.

Unlike the bridge in France that connects Paris to Barcelona with its one and one-half mile road span, personal bridges are built on hopes and dreams or even on anger and hatred. Determination to make productive, healthy changes builds a bridge to higher self-esteem, confidence, and integrity.

Bridge building should reach out to benefit others in meaningful ways. Changing your feelings and behaviors toward another person to benefit their happiness and well-being will be a blessing to you. Jesus gave you this promise: "In as much as you do this for the least of my people, you have done it unto me." Now that’s worth your consideration.                          

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Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love makes up for many of our faults.

~1 Peter 4:8 The Living Bible

 

But if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and his love becomes complete in us – perfect love!

~1 John 4:12 The Message

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Must I Really Love THAT Person? - Part 1

Jesus taught that “the second part of the greatest command to love God with all your heart, soul and mind was to love your neighbor as yourself.” A neighbor could be anyone who is difficult to love. Who would that be in your life? Remember, what Jesus commands, he makes possible.

In George Bernard Shaw's play, The Ideal Husband, one character proclaims, "To love yourself is the beginning of a life-long romance with yourself." Is this what Jesus’ intended in his command to "love your neighbor as yourself? Not if loving yourself means extreme self-indulgence and self-centeredness.

Jesus intends for you to value and care for yourself as God's property. Some people refuse to take this command seriously until there's a crisis or it’s too late to do so. Jesus also said, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" for "I solemnly say to you, every time you do a good deed to one of these most insignificant people, you do it as a good deed for me." Something to think about and follow through on.