Irritable Mood Syndrome

I am getting quite irritable these days.. Perhaps it's the proximity to the final MBBS.. Perhaps..

I don't understand many things..

I don't understand why people can't be more tolerant of each other.. I don't understand why we can't be more understanding and give in to each other..

I don't understand why we enjoy gossiping and talking behind people's backs.. and making fun of people.. And I think laughing along is equally bad.. But do I have a choice?

Of course I think it can be quite fun.. to have a good laugh and all.. I used to dislike people too.. And do nasty things to them.. like putting twisted staples on their seats.. filling the blanks on their notes with wrong words.. calling people names.. all in good fun.. but at whose expense?
And you know what? Somehow the people I dislike always turn out to be rather harmless.. and they are quite nice people actually..

Ok I am rambling.. The point I want to make is that: We should be nicer to one another. Even to people we dislike. From a non-religious viewpoint, I think every person has his good points and bad points.. I haven't known a person who is utterly evil.. If you dislike someone to the core, it may just be that you haven't discovered his good points.. Like how I have come to regret calling some people names and making fun of them..

And it just takes a bit of imagination.. How would you feel if you were on the receiving end of such treatment? I would definitely feel miserable..

And even if one really hates someone to the core, it doesn't give him any right to badmouth him and call him names, does it?

If you are a Christian and reading this, then I would like to encourage you to work hard at removing gossip and slander from your life and be a good testimony to people around you.. The bible clearly warns us of how deceitful and evil the tongue can be..

James 3:5-12 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Ephesians 4:29-5:5 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. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
5:1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

James 1:26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.

I guess the application is clear.. If we claim that we are Christians, then we have no excuse to gossip and say bad things. If we claim we have faith and yet continue to do evil and speak evil, our faith is worthless. Our faith has failed to produce good fruit.

I struggle a lot.. Am I supposed to judge others? Can I be angry with others? After all, I am not good myself.. Who am I to judge others and say that they are wrong? Perhaps I should leave the judging to God.. Sometimes I feel compelled to just laugh along.. I guess it's the easier way out.. The harder way is to state my stand like what I am doing here, and risk straining some relationships.. And to what effect? Will people change? Will it make a difference?

In conclusion, I just feel that we shouldn't say malicious things or call people names behind their backs.. I don't think I have the courage to confront people about this.. So blogging about it is the only way.. And I definitely don't think that I am any better.. Cos we are all sinners.. And in need of God's grace and mercy. I continue to pray for you who have not come to know Christ, to accept his gift of salvation, and begin a new life in Him. =)