Last week, I made the mistake of joking with a family member, who ended up feeling extremely hurt by the jokes I told them about something they owned/had.
Although it was never my intention to hurt their feelings... by making fun of something they owned that I thought was funny (but they didn't), it caused them to lash out in sadness and anger, rather than laughing in good fun at the jokes... I have since apologized to them, and hope that this moment can teach me (and all of us) to speak kindly to the more sensitive ones, who may not be handle particular jokes, due to life circumstances.
My mom sent me this "Before You Speak, THINK" picture.
It reminds me of Ephesians 4:29 in the Bible...
29 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."
Also, James 1:26...
"If a man thinks that he serves God, and does not hold his tongue,
but deceives his heart, this person's service is worthless."
And Ephesians 4:32 goes...
"Be kind to one another."
Hoping we can all practice this in our own lives (myself included), and be more sensitive to the feelings of others, by praising their positives, rather than poking fun at or condemning them.
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