As far as you dwell on it

His daughter came to him in tears to complain. Her older brother had called her a bad name that she hated to hear. Her dad listed and then asked her to tell him the word. He then used it, too.  - What, are you not mad at me too? I used the same bad name to call you! – says the father.
 - No, I’m not, daddy.
 - Why?
 - I...I don’t know....
 The father, looking into her eyes, explained:
- As you could see, darling, listening to a bad word or sentence is not enough to make us feel bad. You have to decide either you will feel bad for it or not. Then, this will bother and annoy you as far as you dwell on it.

Sure, sometimes it is inevitable to feel bothered by the anger, indifference, or malice we realize in other people’s words. But that truth is hard to contradict. Most things will hurt us just as far as we dwell on them. These examples prove it.

.- Now listen, son... (in the mouth of an irascible man)

- Now listen, son! (God)

- Just wait to see what I am preparing for you! (a vengeful person)

- Just wait to see what I am preparing for you! (God)

- I will be around all the time. (an unrelenting person)

- I will be around all the time. (God)

For those times when bad words bring us down, Jesus is the reliable shoulder and the friendly ear where we can lay our complaint and lament. For it is from Him we receive good, certain words, with no anger, but love, from which we can be sure of the worth he bestows on us; guaranteed and certified.

It is with these good words, with these reliable principles, that family relationships can be strengthened, nurtured and improved. This way we can lay aside everything that is harmful and let everything that is beneficial in. Parents who raise their children in this confidence increase the chance of seeing them, in the days to come, not being brought down by any word.

Jesus’ uplifting Word – everyone will want to dwell on it. As far as possible!

Rev. Lucas André Albrecht
Senior Chaplain at Ulbra, Parish Pastor at “St. Paul”,
Canoas ,RS, Brazil
www.ulbra.br/pastoral

Translator:

Rev. Paulo S. Albrecht

Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil

Text  revision

Ms. Kim Starr

MA Practical Theology & Deaconess Certified

Wisconsin, US