Setting a Good Example

[bluidkiti]

"Setting a Good Example"

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” — Galatians 5:22 NIV

Probably the best way to influence another person, whether child or adult, is to set a good example. We cannot try to "act it out," for our phoniness will soon be detected. Our actions must come from what we are in our hearts. Today's scripture lists the ingredients we need in order to set that good example.

One of the most important ingredients is patience. It is very easy to discourage others when you are impatient. You may not agree with their actions, but when you see them trying to change, give them time. Love and kindness will bring out the best in them. Frederick William Faber wrote, "Kind words are the music of the world. They have the power that seems to be beyond natural causes, as if they were some angel's song that had lost its way and come to earth. —No one was ever corrected by sarcasm —crushed, perhaps, if the sarcasm was clever enough, but drawn nearer to God, never."

Sylvia is an excellent teacher, but she is critical and demanding, impatient when her standards are not met. Diane is also an excellent teacher, but she is patient, kind and never mockingly critical. Not only is Diane a more popular teacher, but she is remembered with love and I am certain that many students' lives are influenced by her good example.

I'm sure if you look back, you'll remember some persons who set good examples for you. And I am sure you will find that their lives were filled with some of the fruit of the Spirit. Prayerful living will guide you to these qualities and not only will you be setting a good example for all whom you meet, but your life will be enhanced also.

Lord, create in me a clean heart, so that I am filled with the fruit of the Spirit. Allow me to set a good example for others. Amen.


“Prayerful Living”

[MajestyJo]

Had very negative thoughts towards this. When I was growing up, I was told to set a very good example for my two younger sisters who were 3 and 4 years younger than I was.

Every time they did something wrong it was my fault. As a result, I had a lot of false guilt and took on things that were not mine. It took a change in attitude to see the difference in today.

For example, my sister was sneaking out with her boyfriend, sneaking in early in the morning, and when I woke her up, she was often fully clothed under the covers and I was none the wiser until many years later when she told me.

When she got pregnant and had to get married, it was all my fault, a pretty hard thing to accept the blame for. Even if she was living in my home and going to hairdresser school, I am powerless over her thoughts and actions.

I can be responsible for my own actions. Do I walk my talk? Do people see me and see recovery? I can set a good example, I walk my program. I don't speak for AA,OA,or NA, I only share what I found that worked for me, my experience, strength, and hope.