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UNDESIRABLE CHARACTER TRAITS OVERCOME
First published in the online Indonesian Herald of Christian Science
I used to get very easily offended. I had excessively high self-esteem and was arrogant. When someone criticized me, I quickly responded in great anger. When a friend unwittingly said something I didn't like, I would sulk and refuse to talk to him. When an acquaintance had a feast or a party and I was not invited, I felt deeply wounded. At that time I thought that this easily offended behavior and this high self-esteem were natural and not wrong. I felt that those character traits were gifts of God, which I had always had since I was born.
But gradually what I thought was satisfying to my heart and to my feelings became a burden. I felt only bitterness, resentment, grudges, and gloom. I was always blaming others. My life became difficult and full of suffering and problems. I became enslaved by my desire to get even with others in order to be satisfied. I reaped a harvest of chronic illnesses, and I often had to go to the doctors. Financial lack gave me headaches, but I did not want to borrow money since I believed it would be an insult and a humiliation. Complaining, grumbling, and cursing became my close friends. I felt God had permitted these situations, and—like it or not—I had to experience them.

June 7, 2010 issue
View Issue-
LETTERS
with contributions from HAZEL C. CROSS, ANDREW WILSON, LINNY BEE, SUSAN S. COLLINS
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UNLIMITED GOOD
KIM SHIPPEY, SENIOR WRITER
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ITEMS OF INTEREST
with contributions from Bruce Mutsvairo
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GULF OF MEXICO OIL SPILL AND SEEING GOD'S PURE ENVIRONMENT
GEORGIANNA PFOST
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A SONG OF STRENGTH AND SALVATION
ANN EDWARDS
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IT'S ALL RIGHT TO EXPECT MIRACLES
KATHY FITZER
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PROMOTED TO SERVE
VALORIE MILLER
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SPRING THOUGHTS FROM IRELAND
HELEN EDDY,
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LIGHT IN THE MOUNTAINS
BY LAURA REMMERDE
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Spiritual economy 101
BY CARYL EMRA FARKAS
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Casting the prayer-net wide at work
BY LYNNE GOLDSMITH
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A coat of many pockets
Pamela Chemberlin Lampson
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'NOTHING IS LOST'
BY WELLINGTON ANDERSON DANIEL SILVA
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SAFE IN GOD'S CARE
BY RAFAEL FERREIRA SANTOS
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Our Wall of prayers
with contributions from Hannah, Savannah, Cheyenne, Sara
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HEALED OF PNEUMONIA SYMPTOMS AND FACIAL GROWTH
ANITA ALVAREZ WILLIAMS
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PET'S INJURED EYE RESTORED TO NORMAL
BEVERLY FOLTZ
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UNDESIRABLE CHARACTER TRAITS OVERCOME
MOMO PURNOMO YULI
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THREATS OF TERROR: KEEPING THE PRAYER VIGIL
The Editors