NOTE: I can't take the credit for these 7 principles. *hangs head in shame* These are from a Sunday School lesson from one of my pastors at church. HOWEVER, the commentary in red ARE my thoughts/elaborations/cosign!
7 Principles to Help You Never Fall (2 Peter 1: 1-10)
1. Selfish people are never truly happy.
Greed is the destroyer of joy.
A few weeks back, someone on Tumblr asked me why do I want to be a teacher when they make so little money. As I began to think about how I wanted to approach the question, I began to type a lesson that I've come to learn- "...once you become a slave to chasin’ money, you are always chasin’ it for more. It will never give you happiness." And it's so true. If you're seeking true happiness, being a hoarder of money, fame, wealth, anything will keep you from truly being happy. Be selfless when using your time, talent, wealth, etc.
2. It makes no sense to worry about things you cannot change.
Worry is the destroyer of peace.
OOOOOHHH, y'all! I.AM.A.WORRIER! I easily worry about any and everything. I overanalyze everything and it's a shame. God has really been working on me lately; most recently, when looking for a job. There really is NO point in worrying, because "If God brings you to it, He'll bring you through it." So even if you find yourself in a bind, there's still no need to worry because God will ensure it works out for your good.
3. Always be ready, so you're not forced to get ready.
Procrastination is the destroyer of opportunity.
*hangs head in shame and quotes "Punctuality"* I.AM.HORRIBLE. when it comes to being ready. At the same time that I'm overanalyzing, I wait until the last minute. I can't speak much on this one because I'm still having to work on this one, myself.
4. The best relationships are formed when we treat people as if they are the most important person in the world, and mean it.
Manipulation is the destroyer of people.
We live in a world where it's okay to be fake. -___- We see it promoted on TV all the time through reality television or on social media, but let me tell you, when you genuinely care about someone, it shows and it means a lot.
I teach Children's Church at my church and for the first month, the kids talked to me in class and then outside of class, they just kind of walked past me. :-/ I then made it a point, after every service, to find every student in my class, walk up to them, hug them and ask them about their day at school or their weekend. Lo and behold! They run up to me for hugs, write me letters to say they love me, etc. My students are one of my biggest sources of encouragement and joy now. Genuinety is a rare gem in our society today, but it is so appreciated.
5. Don't use an email to express what you're afraid to say in person.
Lack of communicatoin is the destroyer of relationships.
*inserts 2 praise stomps lol* I am the shyest person in the world. Don't let my "persona " on PND fool you! It's so much easier for me to talk on FB, Twitter, YT, texts, as opposed to face-to-face. I've had manyatimes when I sent a 3 page long email to express something that I couldn't say in person, and then when I saw the person, I didn't speak of the matter lol. BUT I'M WORKING ON IT! I told you above, genuinety!
Our society today is so fast paced and so technologically advanced that, I think, very few people are realizing the effects that it's having on interpersonal communication. People have 1,300 FB friends, and then 2 in real life. We have so many false friendships through social media and are tricked into thinking that we're close with people.
It's my personal goal to begin weaning myself off social media and texts so that I can get back to actually talking to people; face-to-face.
6. You may be unable to thank someone enough for what they've done, but wear yourself out trying.
Ingratitude is the destroyer of blessings.
I just graduated and received countless cards and gifts. In my room, I have a large tablet that I recorded the names of every person who sent something and what it was. Right after I opened each card, when it arrived, I sat down and wrote the person a thank you card and told them what I was going to use their gift for. In past years, I've forgotten to do it and I admit, I wasn't as grateful as I should have been. In my opinion, somehow, gifts just mean so much more when you sit and take the time to write or say thank you.
7. The most hurtful thing to do to anyone is lie.
Dishonesty is the destroyer of life.
Every Black mother, at the very least, has said this lol. It never made sense to me as a kid. I could think of a million things worse than lying, yet my mom was adamant about not lying. Now that I'm older and work with kids, it's starting to hit me.
preach it sister!
ReplyDeletetrying to manipulate people is also known as the sin of witchcraft. The crazy thing is you have to be really careful because as human nature would have it, we are compelled to "convince" people to do things our way.
Oh and you'll get that job. Don't even worry. Remember, God is your Source. Not a job. He uses jobs as tools to meet our needs but they are certainly not the only available things for Him to work with :-)