The Tongue Can Be a Sharp Sword, by Marvin Ashton
Wow.
This was an amazing article.
Here are some of the quotes that really, really stood out to me personally. (Along with my comments in blue!)
Some think the only way to get even, to get attention or advantage, or to win is to bash people. This kind of behavior is never appropriate. Ouch. Never?? Something to work on...
We need to get back to basic principles of recognizing the good and the praiseworthy within the family.
“No man can humiliate or disturb me. I won’t let him.” I think this might be the ultimate form of self-control.
We are reminded that Jesus Christ, the only perfect person to ever walk the earth, taught us through quiet example to say nothing or to be silent in stressful times in our lives rather than to spend time and energy bashing for whatever purpose.
Real charity is not something you give away; it is something that you acquire and make a part of yourself. And when the virtue of charity becomes implanted in your heart, you are never the same again. I think especially that last sentence is SO TRUE. I cannot say that I am 100 percent charitable all the time, but in the areas that I feel like I am truly charitable and understanding towards others, I KNOW I will never be the same again.
Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don’t judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone’s differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn’t handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another’s weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other. Looks like President Monson must've read this talk before giving his own, huh? So many good points here. I could underline the whole thing. Patience is an important part of charity, FOR SURE. And "resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn't handle something the way we might have hoped"--This really stood out to me as something I need to work on.
None of us need one more person bashing or pointing out where we have failed or fallen short. Most of us are already well aware of the areas in which we are weak. What each of us does need is family, friends, employers, and brothers and sisters who support us, who have the patience to teach us, who believe in us, and who believe we’re trying to do the best we can, in spite of our weaknesses. What ever happened to giving each other the benefit of the doubt? What ever happened to hoping that another person would succeed or achieve? What ever happened to rooting for each other? I COMPLETELY agree. Although I'm not anywhere close to to this--it truly is how I want others to treat me. I need to work on this.
“The best and most clear indicator that we are progressing spiritually and coming unto Christ is the way we treat other people.” WOW. This is SO TRUE!! Yikes!!!
Be one who nurtures and who builds. Be one who has an understanding and a forgiving heart, who looks for the best in people. Leave people better than you found them. In my heart, I know that this is one of my goals, but I need to be a little better at actually doing this.
If we could look into each other’s hearts and understand the unique challenges each of us faces, I think we would treat each other much more gently, with more love, patience, tolerance, and care. Isn't this SO TRUE?! I'm tearing up just thinking of times when I have misjudged someone and then found out what they were REALLY going through. Everyone is carrying a burden, and most of the time, it's not something that's appropriate to share with everyone. I think this is why Heavenly Father treats us with love, patience, tolerance, and care--because He can see our hearts and intentions.
I feel like I could study this talk five more times and still not have everything that I want to improve on! Such a great reminder!!
