How can we live in harmony in such a divisive world? Last week we looked at two heart attitudes that can foster harmony. There are two more significant heart postures that can help us develop new meaningful lasting relationships and improve our current ones.
Compassionate Heart
Showing compassion takes sympathy a step further. There are two ways we can show compassion in our relationships:
What we say.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29
Does this verse characterize your speech and lifestyle? Words that build others up makes other people appreciate you’re around, it meets needs. Or are your words like bombs filled with hurt and pain? Part of reducing conflict is choosing the right words at the right time in the right place.
How we act.
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18
What can I do for you? Rate yourself on the compassion scale 1 to 10. If the people closest to you say your prevalent attitude is, “How can you make my life better?” give yourself a 1-2. Give yourself a 9 if you are constantly looking for ways to make life better for others.
Humble Heart
When we’re unwilling to compromise it’s highly likely that we’ll have little harmony or resolution in our lives. Humility is recognizing we don’t have it altogether and being honest with our weaknesses, our failings and willing to admit our mistakes. I’m willing to say four words, “I need your help.” To say you need help takes humility.
Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment. Romans 12:3
Humility also enables me to say I was wrong. It’s hard to be honest and vulnerable isn’t it? Humility is able to say, “forgive me.” It may be hard for some to say that, but when we remember how much God has graced our lives and how much He has forgiven us we can say, “I’m sorry I was wrong, please forgive me.”
Scripture encourages us to bear one another’s burdens, but how do I know what’s yours’ or how do you know what’s mine unless we share it?
How would you rate your level of humility 1 to 10? If you can’t back down and are defensive and can’t admit your wrong and ask forgiveness give yourself a 1. If you haven’t said “I was wrong” since 2000 give yourself a 1.” Give yourself a 9 if you can easily ask other people for help and admit that you’re wrong. You get the idea.
Join us next time for more heart attitudes that fosters harmony and improves our relationships.
