Spiritual relationship help &
Building self esteem
Chicken Soup for the Soul cocreators Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen with Chris Karcher
ABC's Dr. Timothy Johnson,
Finding God in the Questions, and Chris
.
Lee Strobel, The Case for a Creator, and Chris Karcher
Spiritual relationship help &
Building self esteem
Spiritual relationship help &
Building self esteem
Choose peace and fairness
Choice is key. The Holy Spirit guides you and works within to effect change. Your part is to make the right choices and trust in the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit to help you do what is right.
How do you know if your choices are consistent with the guidance of the Holy Spirit? Again, it’s not always easy to know. The Holy Spirit guides you to choose peace and fairness; you will be able to answer yes to all of the following questions if the Holy Spirit is providing the guidance.[i]
· Is your choice consistent with God’s Word? Is it consistent with love and God’s commandments? Because God works within you through the Holy Spirit, guidance will be consistent with Scripture. This is the greatest test of all.
· Are you comfortable with your choices? Incorrect choices create discomfort. Pay attention to inner turmoil. It may indicate you are on the wrong path and need to find a better solution. Granted, the right choices are sometimes uncomfortable, but you should feel a quiet conviction about your choices, even during times of conflict.
· Does your choice lead toward peace? The Holy Spirit guides you toward peace, kindness, love, and conflict resolution. Choices are based in love, not fear. Behavior shifts toward peace and away from arguing, gossip, judgment, putting on airs (success, money, status, power), having to prove you are right, excessive competitiveness, seeking the approval of others, maintaining a hectic lifestyle, and living without meaning or purpose.
· Does your choice account for the best interest of everyone involved? The Holy Spirit will guide you to be kind but firm, and choose what is right. The Holy Spirit will not guide you in a manner that is self-destructive or insensitive toward others. Sometimes we promote our own interests and neglect the other person’s. Other times, we respect the other person’s best interest but neglect our own. Sometimes we are nice—not for altruistic reasons—but because we are afraid of saying no. The Holy Spirit accounts for the best interest of everyone involved.
· Are the consequences fair? Evaluate the consequences. Are they acceptable? Are they necessary? Are they fair? If not, work to find an alternative solution. Consequences are not always pleasant, but they should be just.
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Copyright © 2003 by Christine N. Karcher. Chris Karcher is the author of Relationships of Grace, Amazing Things I Know About You, and Relationships of Grace Workbook. To order books and tapes, schedule Chris for speaking engagements, or subscribe to Chris’ newsletter, visit www.relationshipsofgrace.com, email order@relationshipsofgrace.com, or call 1-877-GET-GRACE (1-877-438-4722).
[i] A free set of worksheets in journal format is available for a limited time at www.RelationshipsOfGrace.com.