BYM ONLINE DESK August 2017 | Page 13

August 2017 Because of this partition, a wall was erected in Berlin dividing the two regions. Once people from East Germany dumped a load of rubbish into the West Germany area. The people in the West Germany could have done a similar thing, but they reciprocated by loading the other side with food items and other eatables. They also kept a slip which said, 'Each gives what he has.' How true! We can only give what we have. Later on, this paved a way for a creation of a goodwill which led to the unification of West Germany with the East. What do we have inside of us? Love or hate; peace or war; life or death! May God give us grace to overcome evil with good. on fire by hell.” Sometimes when we are blamed for things that we have not done, we use many unnecessary words and make the situation more complicated. How are we to respond to such situations? Jesus Christ is our role model. When Jesus was falsely-charged with various accusations by the High Priest and the Teachers of the Law, He did not fight back. He did not even open His mouth in His defence, much to the amazement of His accusers (Mat 27: 13, 14). In a similar manner Joseph too did not fight back when he was falsely accused by Potiphar's wife. People may talk against us and may wrongly accuse us. But let us learn to be silent like Jesus. And peace will abound in us. 3. Don't Be Quick-Tempered There is no doubt that anger plays a vital role for the breakdown of relationships. Anger lodges in the heart of fools says the Bible (Ecc 7:9). Anger not only destroys the peace of the one who holds it but it affects the entire atmosphere. Jesus said, 'Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth' (Mat 5:5). Many a time we lose our patience and relationships are broken. 2. Control Your Tongue For many of our problems in relationships, the root cause is the tongue. Words of anger, hate, back- biting, gossips, all originate from the tongue. Jas 3:5,6 “ So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set In Judges Chapter 8, we read about an incident when the people of Ephraim angrily reacted over Gideon for not inviting them for war. But Gideon's smooth reply pacified them. In our lives too, when faced with such situations, we should learn to react in a patient and mature manner. Doing so, we will save relationships. So never be quick-tempered. 4. Let It Go Selfishness and not letting go often increase tensions and spoil peace. We should let go of things, positions or properties which might rightfully belong to us. In such situations giving-up will resolve issues and peace will prevail. But it is a tough decision to take. It might involve sacrifice. |PAGE 13|