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Kristin McNulty

Professor Strawn

English Writing 102

10 October 2009

Cause-and-Effect Analysis Paragraph FD

Do not underestimate the Lord, he will not be made fun of, for whatever a man

sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows bad and terrible things, that he will also

reap, but he who sows good and wonderful things will reap everlasting life (Galatians

6:7-8, KJV). Living a life that is based on spiritual/saintly principles will bring peace to a

soul. Inner peace cannot be bought or stolen. It can be earned. Regardless of religious

beliefs, from childhood on, lessons are learned as a result of different behaviors;

whether good or bad, the action always seems to justify the reward. Talking back to

adults, earns time standing in the corner. Gorging on fatty foods, sweets, and high

calorie deserts, along with limited exercise, earns added pounds and poor health.

Dishonesty and lies to friends, earns a lack of trust. Alternatively, if the talk is good, the

food healthy, and the words are true, the consequences are also good. The outstanding

consequences for spiritual living are earned in much the same manner. For example,

true acceptance of others and situations that are beyond one’s control is a spiritual

principle that when practiced and mastered, will bring harmony. This harmony is a

pleasing effect that will touch every aspect of life. The tricky part is learning that

acceptance does not have to mean approval. It means to realize the truth, yet tolerate it

without protest, complaint, or objection. On the contrary, lack of acceptance brings

frustration, disappointment, dissatisfaction, and annoyance. Moreover, harmony can not

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occupy a space that is filled with hate and discontent. Another spiritual principle that will

encourage serenity is that of forgiveness. Forgiveness gives birth to healing and love. A

willingness to forgive, and to be forgiven, builds a pathway free from wounds, it builds a

pathway free from hate and discontent. An inability to forgive is like a dirty, open wound,

which has become infected, suppurating, and painful. Where there is hate, there cannot

be love. Where there is hate, there is sorrow, but where there is love, there is joy. Last,

but certainly not least, is humility. It is the absence of ego and false pride. To be humble

is to be meek and modest, lacking arrogance and feelings of superiority. Humility is a

knowledge and belief that all things living, large or small, are equally important and have

a place in this world. The act of being humble is not conceited or proud; it is not stuck

up or snobby. It is not “better than thou”. In fact, Jesus once said, “And the second

[commandment] is like, namely this; Thou shalt [sic] love thy neighbour [sic] as thyself

(Mark 12:31). There is none other commandment greater than these.” With humility in

the heart it is easier to practice spiritual principles in most every situation throughout the

day. Humility in the heart generates genuine happiness for the accomplishments of

others, and an ability to love an enemy. Humility in the heart enables one to accept the

losses, hardships, or tribulations in life. Recognizing faults and character defects, not as

obstacles, but seeing them for what they are meant to be (an opportunity to alter those

behaviors for the better) will become a way of life. In other words, for every action, there

is an equal and opposite reaction, and taking care to sow spiritual principles, for spiritual

reasons, will reap spiritual rewards for the achiever.

Source(s) of information:
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The Blue Letter Bible, King James Version, http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?

b=Gal&c=6
Serenity: A Companion for Twelve Step Recovery, by Robert Hemfelt and Richard
Fowler, Published by Thomas Nelson Publishers (1990)
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, Article published as Humility,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humility
AC Associated Content,
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/234041/six_steps_to_help_you_forgive_those
.html?cat=41