Yep, another characteristic of pride!
I’ve noticed this lately with how I react to Caleb at times. I’ve noticed this with how little things that Becky says really bug me. Obviously I’ve felt this at work at times too.
I hope this is something I can really submit to the Lord and trust in Him enough to let Him do for me what I can’t seem to get over for myself.
My study will be shorter tonight: I’d like to get to bed before 10:30 p.m. and start the week off right (maybe that’s part of my issue, I’m often really tired because I’m still having the problem of staying up late to work on projects…)
Reaching out to others
“Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again” (Luke 6:37–38).
Even though you may fear that some people will reject your efforts to make peace with them, do not let this fear keep you from putting them on your list and preparing yourself to reach out to them. The blessings are far greater than the pain. Study these verses, and write about the blessings of becoming willing to make amends.
To me, this scripture is a summary of the “Golden Rule”. The more I can treat others the ways I’d like to be treated, the more things will work out.
Maybe I need to really think about making amends more, but currently I don’t feel a lot of fear for reaching out to others to make amends. One of the questions I guess I have is how to approach each person. What do I say? How do I explain the Why Now? That may be a bit difficult, especially for some of the people that may not even really think something was ever wrong.
I look forward to talking with Jason more about Step 4 in conjunction with Step 8 and the How To of the whole matter.
I also plan to pray more specifically about this topic and this step.
I feel the blessings that come from being willing to make amends are huge. Making amends is a form of Charity – the pure love of Christ. If I hold no grudges and am quick to ask forgiveness and forgive others, and then I do my best to not re-commit the same errors over and over again, that is the whole Plan of Happiness. That is acting as the Savior acted when He was on the earth.
Another question I guess I have about this step and this questions is, “what does it mean to prepare myself to reach out to them…?” I feel by working on the steps, I’m in ongoing preparation to make these necessary changes in my life. I wonder if there are things I’m looking past.
I’m excited to study about this more.
Hasta manana!
Nate
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