1 Corintiahns 13:4 lists the next attribute of one having charity as "is not puffed up."
Puffed up is such an interesting phrase to use. When I think of puffed up, I think of someone having an allergic reaction to something or to water retention, one's body can look puffed up. This is definitely not what the Lord was referring to in this scripture. Puffed up is not a term we use very often anymore. It leave a lot to interpretation.
I looked it up for good measure to be sure I completely understood it's meaning. I found the following definition seemed applicable in relation to developing charity.
Puffed up to become filled with pride, arrogance, or anger
When one is full of pride, arrogance, or anger they typically feel they are not in the wrong. They display actions that show they believe everything with them is right, and it is the rest of the world that has problem.
What does a person who is NOT PUFFED UP behave like:
1 - is humble, meek, and teachable
2- does not speak vainly or seek attention
3 - Serves happily wherever called
4 - Lifts praises, builds others up
5 - SEEKS the WILL of GOD
In DRASTIC contrast, someone WHO IS PUFFED UP behaves like:
1 - is proud, eager for attention, self-centered, pompous, boastful.
2 - Murmurs against leaders
3 - is condescending with spouse or "holier than thou"
4 - is offended when advice is given
The not so obvious behaviors of being puffed up:
1 - does not praise or give due credit to others
2 - Aspires to positions
3 - is a know it all, is UNTEACHABLE
In 2 Nephi 9:42, it talks about people becoming puffed up because of their knowledge or wealth. As we become more experienced and more knowledgeable, one must really watch and be aware that we do not become unteachable and puffed up.
Recently, when I was extended the call as a sunbeam teacher, I experienced what it is to not be puffed up. My entire adult life, I requested every bishop to please give me any call but primary. I love children, I love working with them. However, I just felt like I work with kids all day as a teacher and am home with kids all day as a mom. Please, let me have time to be an adult.
I got the phone call on Sunday morning from the counselor in the Bishopric. I knew immediately he wanted to stop by to extend a calling to me. As I cooked French toast for the girls, I said to Kaiya, "I hope they don't call me to Primary." Immediately, the Spirit was so strong. I again looked to my daughter and said, "That was wrong of me to say. I need to be willing to serve where ever the Lord needs me." The Spirit was so strong, and I knew I was being humbled by the Lord.
Sure enough, I was called as the Sunbeams teacher. I shared the experience with the counselor, and told him I was grateful for the entire experience that Sunday morning. It is a terrifying calling. And I do indeed miss being in Relief Society, participating in lessons and being spiritually filled. However, there is a different kind of sweet simple fulfillment being in Sunbeams. No, it doesn't provide the deep discussion of basic Gospel principles as Gospel Doctrine and Relief Society do. However, in strong contrast, I am touched by the sweet spirit of very basic simple doctrine that is taught to the little 3 year olds. It is a strengthening of my faith in the most simple and amazing parts of God's plan and his creation.
There are areas that I do need to improve. I want to seek to praise others more often. I am good at saying thank you. However, that doesn't lift and praise others. There are moments that I grumble because I miss Relief Society, I need to be happy always to serve where called.
Over the past weeks, I have become more teachable, and meek. I see many things I need to work on, areas that have hindered my life, and things I want to change. Things that hold me hostage by my past experiences because they effect my now. I am becoming more and more humble and I seek, acknowledge, and accept the shortcomings I have, and try to sort thru where I developed them, and how to overcome them.
Puffed up is such an interesting phrase to use. When I think of puffed up, I think of someone having an allergic reaction to something or to water retention, one's body can look puffed up. This is definitely not what the Lord was referring to in this scripture. Puffed up is not a term we use very often anymore. It leave a lot to interpretation.
I looked it up for good measure to be sure I completely understood it's meaning. I found the following definition seemed applicable in relation to developing charity.
Puffed up to become filled with pride, arrogance, or anger
When one is full of pride, arrogance, or anger they typically feel they are not in the wrong. They display actions that show they believe everything with them is right, and it is the rest of the world that has problem.
What does a person who is NOT PUFFED UP behave like:
1 - is humble, meek, and teachable
2- does not speak vainly or seek attention
3 - Serves happily wherever called
4 - Lifts praises, builds others up
5 - SEEKS the WILL of GOD
In DRASTIC contrast, someone WHO IS PUFFED UP behaves like:
1 - is proud, eager for attention, self-centered, pompous, boastful.
2 - Murmurs against leaders
3 - is condescending with spouse or "holier than thou"
4 - is offended when advice is given
The not so obvious behaviors of being puffed up:
1 - does not praise or give due credit to others
2 - Aspires to positions
3 - is a know it all, is UNTEACHABLE
In 2 Nephi 9:42, it talks about people becoming puffed up because of their knowledge or wealth. As we become more experienced and more knowledgeable, one must really watch and be aware that we do not become unteachable and puffed up.
Recently, when I was extended the call as a sunbeam teacher, I experienced what it is to not be puffed up. My entire adult life, I requested every bishop to please give me any call but primary. I love children, I love working with them. However, I just felt like I work with kids all day as a teacher and am home with kids all day as a mom. Please, let me have time to be an adult.
I got the phone call on Sunday morning from the counselor in the Bishopric. I knew immediately he wanted to stop by to extend a calling to me. As I cooked French toast for the girls, I said to Kaiya, "I hope they don't call me to Primary." Immediately, the Spirit was so strong. I again looked to my daughter and said, "That was wrong of me to say. I need to be willing to serve where ever the Lord needs me." The Spirit was so strong, and I knew I was being humbled by the Lord.
Sure enough, I was called as the Sunbeams teacher. I shared the experience with the counselor, and told him I was grateful for the entire experience that Sunday morning. It is a terrifying calling. And I do indeed miss being in Relief Society, participating in lessons and being spiritually filled. However, there is a different kind of sweet simple fulfillment being in Sunbeams. No, it doesn't provide the deep discussion of basic Gospel principles as Gospel Doctrine and Relief Society do. However, in strong contrast, I am touched by the sweet spirit of very basic simple doctrine that is taught to the little 3 year olds. It is a strengthening of my faith in the most simple and amazing parts of God's plan and his creation.
There are areas that I do need to improve. I want to seek to praise others more often. I am good at saying thank you. However, that doesn't lift and praise others. There are moments that I grumble because I miss Relief Society, I need to be happy always to serve where called.
Over the past weeks, I have become more teachable, and meek. I see many things I need to work on, areas that have hindered my life, and things I want to change. Things that hold me hostage by my past experiences because they effect my now. I am becoming more and more humble and I seek, acknowledge, and accept the shortcomings I have, and try to sort thru where I developed them, and how to overcome them.
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