Hello Family and Friends!
This week has really flown by! There is only one more week of the transfer!!
I had the opportunity to spend a little more time in the scriptures as well as studying conference talks. The topic I studied this week was the power of words, and controlling our behavior.
I came across a quote that put contention into an interesting perspective:
"Satan is the 'father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to anger one with another', (3 Nephi 11:29) The verb stir sounds like a recipe for disaster:
Put tempers on medium heat, stir in a few choice words and bring to a boil; continue stirring until thick; cool off; let feelings chill for several days; serve cold; lots of leftovers" (Lynn G. Robins).
I am sure each of us can recall a moment in our lives where we have seen contention come to life as others or ourselves raise our voices in anger and frustration. Name calling, accusing, cursing, and more. The saddest part is this most frequently occurs among our dearest loved ones and closest friends.
President Thomas S. Monson said,
"Anger doesn’t solve anything. It builds nothing, but it can destroy everything.” (Thomas S. Monson, School they Feelings O My Brother, October 2009)
How true this is! Maybe you have seen it in your life, or maybe you have watched this happen in the lives of someone dear to you, but anger destroys relationships, job opportunities, trust, and it even destroys your ability to be in tune with the spirit. There are innumerable things that anger destroys.
A common phrase people may use to justify their inexcusable language and actions associated with anger is "you make me so mad". Lynn G. Robbins says, "No one makes us mad. Others don’t make us angry. There is no force involved. Becoming angry is a conscious choice, a decision; therefore, we can make the choice not to become angry. We choose!" (Anger and agency, 1998).
When we choose to be angry, it becomes almost easier to let harmful poisonous words fall from our lips, piercing, not only the ears, but also the hearts of those we target. People may forget what was said, but they will never forget how we made them feel.
The savior taught:
" Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away." (3 Nephi 11:30)
The lord doesn't want us to be angry! In fact he is commanding us not to become angry. Lynn G Robin's describes anger in this was:
"Anger is a yielding to Satan’s influence by surrendering our self-control. It is the thought-sin that leads to hostile feelings or behavior. It is the detonator of road rage on the freeway, flare-ups in the sports arena, and domestic violence in homes.
Unchecked, anger can quickly trigger an explosion of cruel words and other forms of emotional abuse that can scar a tender heart. It is “that which cometh out of the mouth,” the Savior said; “this defileth a man” (Matt. 15:11).....Physical abuse is anger gone berserk and is never justified and always unrighteous.
Anger is an uncivil attempt to make another feel guilty or a cruel way of trying to correct them. It is often mislabeled as discipline but is almost always counterproductive. Therefore the scriptural warning: “Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them,” and “fathers provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged” (Col. 3:19, 21)."
Let's do away with anger and contention!
Christmas and Thanksgiving are right around the corner. As you strive to not let yourself become angry, I can promise that these next two holidays will be spirit filled, and you will grow closer to our Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ.
But what if we slip up?
Ask for forgiveness, and try again.
What if our family members or friends become contentious?
Approach them as the savior would. Calmly. Lovingly. Remember we are all children of God - heirs to his kingdom. Teach by example and be so quick to forgive!
I know we can all choose to control our behavior and words. I love you all so much! Have the best week ever!!
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