Even inside the temple there are irritations. The other day I was serving in clothing and had just handed out clothes to a mother of a person going through for the first time. Their "guide" (another worker) didn't like the dress I gave the mother and barged in behind the counter and began going through the dresses to find something better. It embarrassed the mother and made me feel demeaned. So I built up a grudge for several days which didn't hurt her, just me! Then this conference talk made me realize I needed to "put down my stones."
I think we all have negative feelings towards a person or two and we need to remember that being unforgiving is a grievous sin. Holding a grudge is very destructive. And since we are all imperfect, as President Uchtdorf says, "My beloved brothers and sisters, should we not forgive as we wish to be forgiven?"
I'm trying harder. When something irritating happens I've been saying to myself, "This is a test!"
6 comments:
Swear off pickle juice! Its harder to live those that sin differently than I do.
I try to think of possible explanations for the offense. If there are possible explanations, I try to give the benefit of the doubt. I do it for my own sanity. Plus it's a fool who takes offense when none is intended, and I don't want to be a fool.
Personally, I admire you. There are bound to be irritations - people are people even if they work in temples and you want to steer clear of letting such fester, which you did. Exactly how testimonies are diminished, even eventually lost - thinking a person with a problem in a supposed-to-be perfect setting means more than it does. We live in an impatient and often unempathic world. Nice to have your example of how to deal with it.
That is a good message and something I try to work on. I am not good at forgiving people. It takes me a while if at all and it definitely wastes a lot of my time and energy thinking negative thoughts about those people. Thanks for sharing, I will have to look up that talk.
Sorry, I clicked the wrong button!
When I start to get grouchy and respond negatively to other people I know it's been too long since I've visited a 12 step class or read from the manual. Let go and let god; the serenity prayer (god grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.) I also do like Brenda and try not to take offense. People drive VERY aggressively here and I don't let it get to me. It's not worth it.
I have a new Sunbeam that gets under my skin, but I remind myself that he is 4 and a child of God.
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