When We Were Wrong ...
Do you remember how Yogi Bear used to describe himself as "smarter than the average bear"? Well, I'm a fairly bright person. I probably have above average intelligence, so I like to think that I'm right about most things most of the time.
I don't think that I'm an insensitive person, but there are times when I behave that way by insisting that I am right. I often am, but I need to remember that other people have the right to make their own choices and their own mistakes. They have that right even when I don't agree. My relationships with others will improve as I let them be themselves.
Lord, when I'm wrong, let me be willing to admit it, and when I'm right, make me easy to live with.
—Anonymous
Honest Answers
Why did I do that? Why did I say that? Why did I blow off that important task? These are the sort of questions that are best asked when I'm by myself in quiet circumstances, when I can meditate and demand honest answers from myself. I may have to think deeply. I certainly will have to pray for guidance. I must ask for help to see myself as I truly am, without the self-dectption that can fog my thinking.
When I have honest answers to these questions, my new knowledge helps me to cooperate with God as He removes my character defects. I can take decisions based on who I am and my understanding of who God wants me to be.
—Anonymous
Two Roadblocks
I keep coming up against two roadblocks in my recovery—self-justification and self-righteousness. The first tricks me into believing that I am always right. The second deludes me into thinking that I am better than other people.
The Tenth Step gives me a way around these roadblocks. When I continue to take a personal inventory and examine my motives, I ask myself, "What are my motives? Why am I doing this? Is my justification honest? Am I being rational? Is God being glorified?"
Sometimes, I don't have satisfactory answers for such questions. Then, I must follow the second part of the Step and admit my error.
—Anonymous
The Fruit of the Spirit
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.
Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. For each one shall bear his own load. And let the one who is taught the word share all good things with him who teaches.
—Galatians 5, 6 (NASB)