The Here and Now

These last couple of days in class we have been talking a lot about communication and the way we communicate within our families.
There are so many ways to communicate. Some are good, and some are bad. There are many forms are communication. Some people communicate with looks, some with words, some with tone of voice, body language, media, non-verbal, etc. Sarcasm is another form of communication. But, some things need to be taken into account when using sarcasm. Sarcasm can be taken in a different way than the user intended.
Sarcasm is something that can cause/put a wedge between family members and friends relationships. Some people may not understand sarcasm the way another person might. Sarcasm in and of itself is a form of bringing another person down, while trying to be funny about it. Sarcasm can be all good and fun, but, at the same time, it can get in the way of building meaningful relationships. I, by nature, am a sarcastic person, and my husband is just as sarcastic as I am, and we both just take it as it comes, its all good and fun. But, as we have been discussing this in class, it has made me realize that sometimes I have to ask my husband if he is being serious or sarcastic. That is something that I don't think is good. I know that he has asked me if I am being serious or sarcastic sometimes too. This is something that shouldn't have to be asked. We shouldn't be so sarcastic so often that we have to ask each other the difference sometimes. That isn't building meaningful relationships.
Something else we have been talking about in class is anger... Ephesians 4:26-27; 29; 31 - Can you be angry and not sin?
27 "Neither give pace to the devil" - Satan brings anger... Not the Holy Ghost.
29 "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."
31 "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:"
Another topic we have been discussing is the importance of counseling with each other (family) within the home - Counseling with your Councils - M. Russell Ballard. Family counsel gives everybody within opportunity to discuss different topics of importance, everything is laid out on the table. When counseling, families come together to "discuss to consensus... RE: God's will." It is an opportunity to invite each member to converse with the Lord, to figure out what God's will is and what is the right thing to do. It should be open and free of contention and corruption. Each should have a turn to share their opinions and ideas.