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Key Bible Verses: Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing (Proverbs 12:18). Bonus Reading: Galatians 5:19–23

A young woman I was dating and I had a lot of good times, freely laughing and kidding each other. Much of my kidding came in the form of put-downs. She'd always laugh and either change the subject or fire some verbal barb back at me

One New Year's Eve, we took a walk in the southern California evening. As we talked, I threw a sarcastic dart at her, and this time she was silent. After walking a couple of minutes, she stopped and forced me to look at her. "Al, I don't appreciate your put-downs. They aren't funny."

I was shocked. "But you've always laughed at them.'"

"I may have been laughing on the outside. But inside, I wonder why you say those things."

"I'm just kidding.'"

"Maybe. But they hurt. You've said you care about me, but when you say those things, it feels like you don't care at all. You're just going for a laugh at my expense. Which is the real you?'"

That night was the first time I realized that my sarcasm and put-downs were about making me look good at someone else's expense. I've tried to avoid that kind of humor ever since.

—Al Janssen in The Marriage Masterpiece

My Response: This week I'll monitor my humor to make sure it's at no one's expense but mine.

Thought to Apply: Three tests of good humor: Can you laugh at your own mistakes? restrain when it isn't fitting? enjoy it all alone?
—Charles Swindoll (educator)

Adapted from: Stand Firm (2/01) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

Dear Father, thank You for revealing Yourself to me. Now help me to constructively express myself to those I love.

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