As I watch the inauguration events, I’m humbled and encouraged by the diplomatic engagement between former President Obama and current President Trump. I’m forced to look within and ask myself: Am I capable of diplomatically disagreeing? Can you diplomatically disagree? I believe that this is a question that all of us should ask ourselves. So many marriages dissolve because of the inability to diplomatically disagree. Friendships end, violence erupts, people hate and even kill all because of an inability to disagree. This shouldn’t be so. The ability to disagree diplomatically displays a high level of maturity. It also displays a high level of emotional intelligence and self-control. It takes intention, and…
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JEALOUSY: Fight against it
All of us have our vulnerabilities. We all have those weaknesses that we will constantly have to battle against: pride, insecurity, anger, and the list goes on. We shouldn’t downplay any of them because they all have the potential to limit us in life, but this morning my heart is on jealousy: “Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy? – Proverbs 27:4 Jealousy left unattended is dangerous. If jealousy is not an issue for you, be grateful but be compassionate towards those that do struggle with it. Who decides what our vulnerabilities will be? We all come into this world with our…
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Marriage is Not Merely About Happiness
People desire marriage for various reasons. While happiness is certainly an aspect of marriage, keep in mind it is only a part. No doubt you should marry someone who makes you happy, but you do so realizing that they won’t always make you happy. How could they? No one is perfect. This leads us to the realization that: Marriage is not merely about happiness. Marriage is about so much more than happiness, but so often we have in our minds that marriage itself should make us happy. Or, we have the fantasy, Disney story mindset that marriage is ALL about happiness. Both of these are unrealistic expectations to have in…
