Daily Journal: 3 July

Harmony

The mighty hand of ego is the culprit for many strained or aborted relationships. Learning to release ego keeps us from carrying unnecessary stress that is harmful to our bodies and goodness in life.

Proverbs 13:10 (NIV)

Where there is strife, there is pride,

Acknowledge where strife is part of a relationship and ask, how do I carry responsibility for the strife I’m feeling?

James 2:8-9 (NLT)

Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” But if you favour some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.

The bible helps us see that favouritism is part of strife. It is part of ego and pride. Perhaps there is a sense of competition, power, disagreement, inadequacy or insecurity in the mix of who we favour and who we don't. Allowing favouritism to function in any relationship deliberately shuts other people down and prevents the sincere love that Jesus taught, from having its place.

Romans 12:16 (NLT)

Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

How good does harmony feel?

Harmony brings a communion with others that is hard to match.

Yet, it can be easily destroyed.

Proverbs 3:7-8 (NLT)

Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.

Being impressed with our own wisdom can be like carrying around little seeds that we think are independent and strong and worthy of attention. In fact, they’re seeds of poison we’re just waiting to plant, which can choke, and catch, and hurt others. Our attempts to elevate self, often sabotages another.

When we see those seeds for what they are, and decide to destroy them, knowing there’s no goodness in them at all, we are turning away from evil. We position ourselves, instead, to be part of a garden planting that is without thistles or weeds. That garden produces nourishment where our own bodies have no need to carry stress that saps our energy or invites sickness or disease.

Psalm 133:1 (GWT)

See how good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters live together in harmony!

Nurturing harmony in life is like a medicinal elixir that promotes health and produces strength and healing. I pray that God help us establish this type of garden in our lives for the benefit of all.