How Is Criticism Disconcerting for Loving Relationships?

Criticism can be disconcerting, especially when it comes from someone you trust and love. Criticism attacks a person verbally to force them to submit emotionally and mentally. The reason criticism is not effective is that negative attacks on character and integrity create resistance.

A person may purposely instigate an argument driven by anger or fear when the primary objective is to secure power that appears to be slipping away. Since everyone has imperfections, including the criticizer, fault-finding is an attempt to dominate and influence.

An alternative to criticism is healthy discussions on the distribution of responsibilities and accountability. It takes insight and maturity to resist responding negatively to criticism. Yet God will provide these when the motive is to be a peacemaker. “So be kind to one another, tenderhearted and forgiving each other, as God in Christ has forgiven you.” 

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Above all, keep earnestly loving each other, since love covers a multitude of sins.

~1 Peter 4:8 English Standard Version

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Can the Christ of Christmas Enable You to Be a Peacemaker?

We often hear the words, “America is a country equally divided philosophically and politically.” There are some people who delight in that belief, for it provides a constant subject for conversation as well as fodder for news organizations to graze on and preserve an eager listening audience.

Can you imagine God listening to the world two millennia ago and deciding to send Jesus to establish peace and good will among the people? Gather up your courage and decide to be a peacemaker this Christmas, for there will be a moment specially designed for you to give the gift of peace even in the presence of discord. So be ready for the event. Merry Christmas and God bless you.  

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Because the heart of our God is full of mercy towards us, the first light of Heaven shall come to visit us – to shine on those who lie in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the path of peace.

~Luke 1:78-79 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English

 

God, who first ordered light to shine in darkness, has flooded our hearts with his light, so that we can enlighten men with the knowledge of the glory of God, as we see it in the face of Christ.

~2 Corinthians 4:6 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English

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From Thursday, December 21 through Christmas Day, blogs have been posted each day to coincide with KHCB radio's special music and short devotional programming, "Five Days of Christmas". 

Don't Allow Negatives to Veto Positives

A life-long task human beings face is learning to manage conflict with others as well as internal struggles that can disrupt happiness and peace. Conflict, regardless of its origin, affects your body, mind and spiritual well-being. Conflict is fatiguing when resolutions that promise peace are continually rejected.

Mismanaged conflict lies at the core of emotional distress that’s fueled by hurt feelings, anger and anxiety. These feelings trigger reactive thinking and behavior that undermine attempts at problem solving and securing peace. We bring forward into the present time inner distress experienced from troubled relationships.

Securing inner peace in the midst of conflict is possible by refusing to permit negative emotions to veto resolutions. Peace is a choice and possible when acceptable resolutions are inaugurated. It’s important to remember the Lord God honors those who are peacemakers. They are called sons and daughters of God. 

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Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil; joy fills hearts that are planning peace!  

~Proverbs 12:20 New Living Translation

Try to live at peace with everyone! Live a clean life. If you don’t, you will never see the Lord.

~Hebrews 12:14 Contemporary English Version

Faith's Priority ~ 2020 Vision of God's Peace

With so much contentiousness in our country promoted by political parties and the media turmoil, what should be a faith priority of every Christian who inhabits our country? A priority has an urgency about it to be understood and abided by because of the importance attached to its purpose.

Faith’s priority goes straight to what Jesus encourages us to do, and that is to be peacemakers. To be a peacemaker when so many clamor for their way, regardless of the cost to the majority who make up society, is – I admit – difficult or even scary to do. Yet God calls the peacemakers his children.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers,” but how can you do it and not be identified as someone out of the loop with your crowd? Peace has to be faith’s priority wherever you are. You do this by speaking God’s word, his scriptures, and not by yelling out your opinion, not by engaging in arguments that cannot be resolved. “A soft answer turns away wrath.”  Happy New Year!  

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God blesses those people who make peace. They will be called his children!

~Matthew 5:9 Contemporary English Version

And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness.

~James 3:18 The Living Bible

Get Rid of Hate

Both love and hate have been characterized as pleasurable. You may agree that love is pleasurable, but not hate. Hate may be pleasurable when imagined conversations give you dominance over others. Perhaps hate is pleasurable by giving the possessor power and control when faced with difficult situations. 

While hate may be pleasurable in an unhealthy sense, is it productive? When hate is directed toward others, it cannot be productive from God’s viewpoint. Keeping hatred suppressed may cause sleepless nights or acute anxiety because of its association with fear and guilt.

         

Get rid of hate by realizing hatred is undesirable. Decide to give it up by asking God to forgive you. Believe God’s word: “Vengeance is mine, I will repay says the Lord.” Accept God’s way as a better way to manage relationships. Seek professional help for letting go of anger and hatred so inner peace can be achieved. Determine to be a peacemaker so you can be blessed by God.