Things We Should Give Up

Worry

Instead – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your      requests to God... Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Grumbling

Instead – In everything give thanks... Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Selfishness

Instead –  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.... Love does not envy... It is not self-seeking.

Looking at other people’s worst points

Instead –  Concentrate on their best ones. Love does not delight in evil... Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.

Speaking unkindly to others

Instead –  Be kind one to another... Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Anger, hatred or dislike for anyone

Instead – Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. But be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other... For love is not easily angered.

Fear that keeps us from sharing Jesus

Instead – Be not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes... For God did not give us a spirit of fear and timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

Time with newspapers, books & magazines

Instead – Spend time in the Word. Set your hearts and minds on things above, not on earthly things... Study to show yourselves approved of God.

Television one evening a week

Instead – Use that time in prayer or visiting. Pray without ceasing... The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. Religion that God accepts is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

What are we willing to give up?