Uh oh. I think we all know what this is. Depending on how good you are with numbers, Algebra can be a thorn in the side. The thing that always threw me off the map was when it came to Negatives and Positives. Why would a Negative X a Negative = a Positive!?
One thing I know, that sure doesn't happen in real life. It's a lot easier to find negative things to say when you're feeling grumpy. And when one person starts ringing the Sour Alarm, more people get sucked down. Hence the saying, "One bad apple spoils the whole barrel."
Have you ever had somebody come up to you and show something they worked on and asked for your opinion? Let's say you had a frustrating time with Algebra today.(Perfectly realistic thing.) There was just that one problem that you could not figure out and it just made you mad. What do you think your response is going to be to anybody? You'll probably say something negative, or you may not reply at all - because those frustrating numbers are still taunting you in your mind. You'll just shrug and pretend to be busy with something else. What will that do to the sibling? It will put them down. A Negative X a Positive = a Negative. Algebra got it there.
Now you've just infected that person with the Negative bug. So now that crushed sibling goes off and the pain festers. Sibling #1 is now walking around with the Negative bug. But here comes skipping little sibling #2. She's just seen the coolest butterfly and she can't wait to tell sibling #1 about it. When sibling #2 excitedly tells Sibling #1 about the butterfly, he's not really in the mood to talk about that. So he brushes her off, leaving a heavy does of Negative behind, infecting sibling #2. What's started now? A massive Negative break out!!
But it doesn't have to be this way. There is a way to stop this. That's where Ephesians 4:29 comes in.
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.
It's important to realize that everything we say has an affect upon the person we say it too.Your words can be a huge game changer for the whole day. It takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile. :)
So what about that argument you have with your sibling? How do you go about solving that? Your sibling is just driving you crazy! Pushing every one of your buttons and you are standing toe to toe with them, eyes blazing and words flying.
What if Jesus was standing right behind you sibling, listening to everything you said? His eyes are filled with tears and their pleading with you to be kind. Do you think that might change something? Why?
Sometimes it's easy to think, "Jesus you don't understand! He's driving my crazy! There's no other way to deal with him." What do you think Jesus would say?
Proverbs 15:1 would probably be the first thing that He would bring up.
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
I challenge you to try this. It takes a two people to start an argument. You can't argue with yourself. And when you get to a point where you don't know what to do....Just don't sin.
Jesus wants us to be like Him in all that we do. So the next time you get in an argument, it might help to think of Jesus standing behind your sibling. He wants us to build each other up, not tear each other down.
This wont help you with Algebra. (I suggest a calculator for that.) But it can help change the flow of an argument.
P.S Here's a cool fact. Anger and stress can majorly affect your sleep. (And for a teenager, that affects a lot.)
Cool fact #2. Laughing releases toxins that build up in your body. This helps boost your immune system and health!
Go figure right? The very thing Jesus wants us to do is beneficial, not only to our relationship with Him and our family, but also for our own health!
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