Have you ever paid attention to the layers of an onion as you peel them away? Did you ever find one that was rotten in the middle while the outside was good? Have you ever taken a bite of a delicious looking apple only to discover that what appeared to be good was rotten in the core?
I’m sure many of us have experienced such things. I’ve been disgusted by rotten apple cores… still, sometimes the apple can be salvaged once the rotten bits are removed thus rendering it fit for use…
Have you ever had that happen to you as it pertains to your behavior? Has someone challenged you on a behavior and all of a sudden you realized that there was a rottenness in you that needed to be removed?
It happened to me recently. It turns out that my attitude in words towards those closest to me can be biting, hurtful, unkind and unloving. Now that it’s been brought to my attention I can’t say that I never knew… It was one of those things that I knew needed to be changed at some point… well, some point has arrived and now I must tackle it head on. I’m going to focus on destroying the soul negativity that is hurting some of my closest relationships.
It won’t be easy. However, as a person who sincerely wants to be more loving and kind, and as challenged by the Bible, it is something I must strive to achieve. I have two passages in mind:
Philippians chapter 4:
5 Let your gentleness be evident to all… 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice…
13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
And of course, the famous chapter in I Corinthians which defines love.
So there is my challenge to myself for the rest of the year. Sometimes you just need to peel the onion and tackle the junk that’s buried underneath. I challenge you to do the same.
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