Happy October from Inspiration from a Blind brought to you monthly by www.ShirleyCheng.com !
Imagine someone you do not particularly like coming up to you, and in front of all your friends, begins to passionately accuse you of things you have never thought of, let alone have done. How would you react in such circumstances?
In such cases, maintaining temperance is the key; otherwise, you could worsen an already unpleasant situation. But what is temperance?
Temperance is self-control. It is the ability to control yourself at difficult circumstances. Such an ability is precious when you run into a seemingly overwhelming situation. This is why the wise King Solomon once said, "One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city." (Proverbs 16:32, WEB.)
Let us go back to the opening question: how would you react when someone falsely accuse you? If you start to fight back with insults, your situation could escalate into a live soap opera. However, if you keep your cool, you will "put to silence the ignorance of foolish men." (1 Peter 2:15)
Keeping your cool is following the wise advice of God's Word: "Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger." (James 1:19) Let us see how you can apply this piece of wisdom to your imaginary situation:
1) Being "swift to hear" is giving the other person your undivided attention as they speak to you. Even though we may not always enjoy listening to everything others say to us, as listeners, we have the responsibility to show respect to the speakers when they ask us to listen to them.
"Swift to hear" also means that we should be focused on the words of the speakers, not letting their words enter into one ear and out the other. Thus, carefully listen to what the person is accusing you of, then you will be able to fully give an answer when they are done speaking. If you do not fully listen, your defense may not match their accusation, and in turn, it may cause even more confusion and frustration.
2) "Slow to speak" is carefully studying your words before you speak. While you may have hundreds of words you would like to say in your defense and many biting insults boiling inside your chest, they may not help you in your defense. Before you answer them, ask yourself, "Would what I'm about to say really help me? How would my words reflect on me and my character?"
We are what we speak. Thus, you must be careful that others will not misjudge you by your own words. Speech that is accusatory, hurtful, and insulting, never helps a painful situation but will only add to the pain. Your aim is to end the issue as comfortably and quickly as possible, so choose words that will accomplish your goal. Always stick to the facts, nothing more, nothing less.
The tongue has two faces like fire. When used wisely, it brings blessings; when used incorrectly, it yields disasters. One who speaks rashly is like "the piercing of a sword," while "the tongue of the wise heals." (Proverbs 12:18) When you speak, would you want your words to heal or destroy?
3) "Slow to anger" is just that—not easily angered. Anger unnecessarily adds to unpleasantness. Would your anger help you solve your problem? Would your anger help you in your defense? No; on the contrary, anger often clouds your judgment and makes you say or do something you will regret later on. This is why we should not let "the sun go down on [our] wrath" (Ephesians 4:26).
Your calmness is your wordless defense. Remember, actions speak much louder than words. Show through your demeanor that you are blameless and faultless before all.
When you are able to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, even if you may be wrongly spoken against as a bad person, "they may be disappointed who curse your good way of life in Christ." (1 Peter 3:16) Prove others wrong by your way of life!
Need help in developing temperance in you? No problem—we all do; ask Jehovah, and He will abundantly bless you with it, for temperance is a part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit that God wishes to develop in each person, and it can be developed fully in you only by God. For these past nine months, I have covered one quality of the fruit in each issue: love, joy, peace, longsuffering (patient endurance), goodness, kindness, faithfulness, meekness, and finally, temperance. So my brothers and sisters, we have come to the end of our mini series on this fruit of the Holy Spirit, and I fervently hope that you have been blessed by it. If you have any questions or comments, or would like to learn more about this holy fruit and how to develop it in you, please don't hesitate to e-mail me, and you know I'll be more than glad and excited to best assist you.
~*~Q&A with Shirley~*~
Question: How do I have an intimate relationship with Jehovah? I feel He is so far and distant.
Answer: The Bible says, "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you." (James 4:8) Jehovah strongly desires to have a sacred relationship with us humans. He created us for that very purpose! It is WE who have distant ourselves from Him and His love. Throughout the history of humankind—even from the start—we have terribly rebelled against our Heavenly Father. We do things that He repeatedly told us to avoid. When we sin, it greatly grieves Him and breaks His heart. Despite all we do against Him, He sent His only Son, Jesus, to die for us. Through Jesus, everyone has a final chance to have a relationship with God. Jehovah "wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:4) Jehovah delays His final judgment because He wants to give enough time for people to repent: "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)
The moment we trust in Jesus, we are justified, meaning that we are put in right standing with Jehovah. Then we must walk according to His will in a process called progressive sanctification (progressive "setting apart as holy" for God). During our walk, our relationship with Him should grow deeper and deeper. Our walk should begin with regular Bible studies and prayers. When we read the Bible, we get to know the great personality of Jehovah. The more we know Him, the more we love Him. Think about it: when you first met your spouse or your best friend, you didn't know him or her well, so you didn't love them as much, right? But after you two got to know each other, didn't your love and bond grow? It is the same case with our relationship with God. However, our relationship with Jehovah has a gigantic head start: God loved us first! So the relationship we seek is a relationship that Jehovah has desired from the very beginning, even before we were born! He already loves us dearly (everything He has done for us more than enough proves it), so it is OUR turn to love Him back.
Jehovah is not far away; it is we who have been far away. Jehovah is a true Gentleman; He will never force anyone to love Him. All He does is patiently wait for us to seek Him. When we diligently desire to be His friends (imagine being God's friends!), then He will gladly open His arms wide (His arms have actually been open wide for a very long time already). We are exhorted to "Seek ye Jehovah while he may be found; call ye upon him while he is near: let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto Jehovah, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." (Isaiah 55:6-7, ASV)
So it is up to you and me. The question to ask yourself is: do I want a relationship with Jehovah? If, from the depths of your heart, you answer yes, then that sacred relationship is waiting for you! Just repent, trust in Jehovah and Jesus, study the Bible, walk according to God's will, and pray whole-heartedly, asking God into your life.
Some final words: a sacred relationship that lasts forever will not be achieved overnight; we must be faithful and remain faithful to God unto death. And Jehovah will greatly help us achieve this relationship with Him; ask Him for the Holy Spirit, which will sanctify you and make you into the person God intends you to be. Remember, it is God's Holy Spirit that develops the fruit of the Spirit in us, from love to temperance.
~*~Shirley's Corner~*~
To celebrate the one-year publication of my book, "Do You Love Jehovah? God Almighty's Infinite Love & Wisdom to Propel You to Greatness," the first three people who reply to this newsletter will receive thirty percent off my book. Want to read about this six-time award winner? No problem: www.shirleycheng.com
~*~A Biblical Ending~*~
"But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and closes his heart of compassion against him, how does the love of God remain in him? My little children, let's not love in word only, neither with the tongue only, but in deed and truth." (1 John 3:17-18, WEB.)
Love is a way of life. If you say, "I love you," and your actions do not reflect your words, your love means nothing. When we love, we must love in actions, as well as "in truth," meaning "without hypocrisy."
"If a man says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who doesn't love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? This commandment we have from him, that he who loves God should also love his brother." (1 John 4:20-21)
Our love for the invisible God is shown by our love for people. If we don't love people whom we can see, we surely cannot love God whom we cannot see. But if we have great love for one another, we will have the capacity to love God. So love starts from the closest people around you. So go ahead and love abundantly!
Have a splendid month, and see you in November.
May the grace and peace from Jehovah God and Jesus Christ be with you.!
Content Copyright by Shirley Cheng; All rights reserved
You are permitted to only give out or link to this website or post; all other distribution and copying is prohibited without the prior written permission of Shirley Cheng. Contact Shirley at www.shirleycheng.com
Did you get this from a friend's forward and would like to subscribe? Then send a blank e-mail to subscribe@shirleycheng.com from the e-mail address you'd like to sign up under.
Award-Winning Author with 26 Book Awards
Proclaimer of Jehovah's Good News
Author/Contributor/Editor of 32 books by age 27, Poet, Motivational Speaker, Self-Empowerment Expert, Advocate
Board member of World Positive Thinkers Club http://www.shirleycheng.com
Having a bad day? Then meet Shirley Cheng, A.K.A. the modern day Helen Keller, to inspire, empower, and motivate you to go for the gold medal in life!
"Although I'm blind, I can see far and wide; even though I'm disabled, I can climb high mountains. Let the ropes of hope in Jehovah God haul you high!"
Sign up to Inspiration from a Blind newsletter by sending an e-mail to: subscribe@shirleycheng.com
Please sign the Parental Rights in Children's Medical Care: Give Parents the Right to Say No Petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/parentr7/petition.html
