You've got so much love in you,

I'm finding that my current 'difficult' thing to deal with is loving others and not resorting to biting words and anger. I wish I could say that this isn't the case, but it is. And it's only an issue with my family.

My family are the connoisseurs of anger and arguing, it would seem. It's all I grew up around, and sometimes it seems like I can only respond in the same way. But today I read a verse that helped and greatly encouraged me; Proverbs 10:12. It says, "Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses."

When we react in anger or hatred, it only causes more problems. Instead, we need to hold our tongues. We need to obey, even when it seems ludicrous or unfair, because the Bible tells us to honor our parents. We need to respond with calm and quiet words. When we react with love, the way that Jesus would, it changes things. It changes perspectives and stops arguments before they can fester into full-on verbal brawls.

The key here is to actually think before we speak. To not let our emotions run wild, but to think instead how we can turn it around to honor our Father. If I could just stop arguing with my mother when it feels like she's just picking a fight, she can start to see how much of a change I truly am making in my life. And, hopefully, she can see Christ reflected in the things I do (or don't do!).

You have so much love in you. That's the way God wanted it to be! So why do we constantly let the hatred take over?