In judging of others a man labors in vain, often errs, and easily sins; but in judging and examining himself, he always labors fruitfully.
Thomas a Kempis
This morning as I sit and look out my window and watch the birds at the feeders and the squirrels scampering around, my mind ponders over the thought about judging others and self-examination. Self-examination has become a useful tool that I use in my morning meditation. Before I sit down to read Scripture, I spend some time in prayer and self-examination. I dont spend a lot of time reflecting inwardly, but I do try and check my attitude a little to see if some adjustments need to be made. Sometimes when I notice some attitude that runs contrary to living at peace with others, I will pray about the situation and the person to change my attitude. There are times also when I am aware of a negative attitude and have no desire to change the way I feel. These days turn out to be real doozies. It seems to be harder to change my attitude when I feel justified in have a bad mood because of something someone did or said that I thought was not right. Bad attitudes can hang around for long periods of time because we feel our rights have been violated. I am learning that at some point, if I want to have serenity in my own life today, if might have to give up some of my rights. Im not talking about my legal rights, or my God given rights. I am talking about my right to be upset, my right to be angry, my right to be jealous, my right to be suspicious, my right to speak my mind, my right to have a bad attitude. When I give up and let go of these feelings other feelings come in to take their place. We always have some emotions and feelings going on, we are not vegetables. So, when we work on one feeling, it will, be replaced by another, hopefully a better one. There are people today I my life who do not judge me because of my past. I am learning not to judge myself by my past also. It is not where Ive been that counts, but where Im going. Today I choose to be a child of God in fellowship with my siblings. God is doing for me what I could not do for myself .JRE
But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly.
1 CORINTHIANS 11:28-28 NAS
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Gods will for us becomes our own true will for ourselves.
Narcotics Anonymous basic text page 46
Thomas a Kempis
This morning as I sit and look out my window and watch the birds at the feeders and the squirrels scampering around, my mind ponders over the thought about judging others and self-examination. Self-examination has become a useful tool that I use in my morning meditation. Before I sit down to read Scripture, I spend some time in prayer and self-examination. I dont spend a lot of time reflecting inwardly, but I do try and check my attitude a little to see if some adjustments need to be made. Sometimes when I notice some attitude that runs contrary to living at peace with others, I will pray about the situation and the person to change my attitude. There are times also when I am aware of a negative attitude and have no desire to change the way I feel. These days turn out to be real doozies. It seems to be harder to change my attitude when I feel justified in have a bad mood because of something someone did or said that I thought was not right. Bad attitudes can hang around for long periods of time because we feel our rights have been violated. I am learning that at some point, if I want to have serenity in my own life today, if might have to give up some of my rights. Im not talking about my legal rights, or my God given rights. I am talking about my right to be upset, my right to be angry, my right to be jealous, my right to be suspicious, my right to speak my mind, my right to have a bad attitude. When I give up and let go of these feelings other feelings come in to take their place. We always have some emotions and feelings going on, we are not vegetables. So, when we work on one feeling, it will, be replaced by another, hopefully a better one. There are people today I my life who do not judge me because of my past. I am learning not to judge myself by my past also. It is not where Ive been that counts, but where Im going. Today I choose to be a child of God in fellowship with my siblings. God is doing for me what I could not do for myself .JRE
But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly.
1 CORINTHIANS 11:28-28 NAS
********************
Gods will for us becomes our own true will for ourselves.
Narcotics Anonymous basic text page 46
