How do you get along with your relatives? No time like the holidays to work on these relationships! 🙂

I know, this may not be what you want to think about right now with all the shopping and preparations and other stress going on. However, this is the best time to think about it. How you deal with other people is a true tell of your character. Your goal should be to be thoughtful, considerate and calm in all your dealings with others; whether they are your relations or complete strangers.

Our treatment of others can be hurtful and harmful. You never know when or if you will see those relatives again. Try to grow gentleness in your relationships.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

“Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and it itself set on fire by hell.”
James 3:5-6

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29

At the end of conversations, the people you speak with should feel better, not worse. Think before you speak and give God control of your tongue. Just because you think something, doesn’t mean it has to come out of your mouth. Being silent is a lost art, let’s revive it. 🙂 If you absolutely can’t be silent, give compliments!

Here are some guidelines for what to say or not to say to others.

1. If it isn’t TRUE, it is not beneficial. “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.” Colossians 3:9
2. If it is BOASTING, it is not beneficial. “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ…” Galatians 6:14
3. If it is GOSSIP or SLANDER, it is not beneficial. “to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.” Titus 3:2
4. If it is said in ANGER, it is not beneficial. “A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.” Proverbs 29:11
5. If it lacks GRACE, it is not beneficial. “Let your conversations be always full of grace…” Colossians 4:6
   

   “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you,
   live at peace with everyone.”
   Romans 12:18