16 Comments
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Kate Dreston's avatar

Excellent! When I want to hold on to bitterness because of the way my family acts towards me, I try to remember:

"I love my family because God loves them, not because they are wonderful or treat me well."

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Brandon Moore's avatar

That's a good word and healthy perspective!

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Susan Kuenzi's avatar

Thanks, dear Brother for a helpful article. Most of us can benefit from these insights and reminders. Gentleness, forgiveness, humility, kindness, peace, compassion, love rather than bitterness or sharp words. Build up rather than tear down.

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Brandon Moore's avatar

It sounds so simple, yet it takes supernatural work from within us to do it!

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Susan Kuenzi's avatar

I agree. I have been reflecting on this recently. I just wrote a note about this today as well. It's not our human nature to respond in the most helpful way consistently. But we can choose to do so by His supernatural grace indeed.

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Brandon Moore's avatar

Yes, we can. Sometimes, I'm overwhelmed by how gracious God is to help, even though I consistently get it wrong. But His grace far surpasses my mess-ups!

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Susan Kuenzi's avatar

Amen. I sure do relate!

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Adam Lawley's avatar

So good! Bringing peace to the table.

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Brandon Moore's avatar

I hadn't thought about it that way until I wrote the post but yes. It's forced me to ask the question, "What am I bringing to the table? Peace? Bitterness? Frustration?" Because I'm definitely bringing something.

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Adam Lawley's avatar

It’s pushed me to think differently at my Thanksgiving gatherings.

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Brandon Moore's avatar

That is fantastic encouragement. Thank you for sharing

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Intercessor Todd's avatar

Excellent thoughts and good advise. Let's pray as Paul, may God give us words to speak as we ought. May we help and encourage, and know when to hold our tongue! Today and each day.

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Brandon Moore's avatar

Love it. Ephesians is rich with instructions on how to pray!

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Intercessor Todd's avatar

Very true, it’s my second favorite book for praying (after Psalms).

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Brandon Moore's avatar

Same. God sure was gracious to us to give us material to pray.

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Nov 28
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Brandon Moore's avatar

Yes. It's tough when people have done things that hurt us and continue to do those things. Forgiveness is a supernatural thing from God, and God can give us wisdom on how to navigate difficult family issues.

Glad it was helpful!

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