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My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires
James 1:19-20 NIV
REFERENCES: Jeremiah 7:25, James 1:19-20, Proverbs 18:30, Proverbs 15:1, Matthew 7:1-5, Ephesians 5:21
They say the grass is greener on the other side but if we truly think about it, the grass is greener where you water it. If you don’t tend to your garden, allowing the spirit of God to water it, your relationship garden will decay. Are you watering your relationships daily or are you stuck on a destructive path? When we don’t look and assess our unhealthy patterns of behavior, we end up destroying important relationships that lead down a road of criticism, contempt, defensiveness and stonewalling. Instead of this, let’s lean into the Holy Spirit who can reverse unhealthy patterns and set us on the path of restoration and redemption.
We need more than good intentions, we need the Spirit of God.
Healthy relationships are built on a pathway of mutual respect and love. Critique and contempt on the other hand destroy the best of relationships. Criticism stems from a heart of judgment, and seeks to point out a person’s flaws instead of celebrating their wins. Contempt often views others as less than, instead of viewing everyone as worthy of God’s grace.
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger - Proverbs 15:1 NIV
God wants us to see each other as teammates who thrive in environments where we can be vulnerable with each other. Sometimes, we lean into relationships, time passes, and we tend to allow our defenses to go up as misunderstandings fester to the point of stonewalling. Yet, avoidance only leads to more destruction. What was once meant for two to become one, turns into two opposing teams working against each other. When walls go up, let God bring them down. We were brought into this life to do it together.
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ- Ephesians 5:21 NIV
Even if you want to move forward if you’re geared in reverse you won’t be able to do so. When it comes to relationships, criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling drive us backwards. Regardless of the path you find yourself on, it’s never too late to make a u-turn and head in the right direction. Having God at the center of our relationships doesn’t exempt us from falling into the temptation of hitting reverse, but it does help us to react quickly when we have. God always reminds us of the path that leads to life. Today’s the day to embrace the grace God gives us to navigate our relationships. Let’s turn around and head in the right direction.
Which destructive pattern are you most prone to?
Identify which destructive path you mostly go down when it comes to your relationships. Analyze why, and ask God to help you move away from these patterns and into adapting the correct ones.
Need a midweek reset? Join us every Wednesday at VOUS Miami Gardens and VOUS Design District in the Prayer Room for an incredible hour of prayer starting at 12PM. Make it part of your weekly rhythm!
Where: VOUS Miami Gardens and VOUS Design District
When: Every Wednesday
Time: 12:00PM - 1:00PM
Join us for Vision Sunday! Pastor Rich & DawnCheré Wilkerson will be sharing vision and marching orders for the year ahead. Be sure to invite your friends & family and get in the room!
For more information on Vision Sunday, click here
Team Night is happening on Wednesday, November 12th across all four VOUS locations starting at 7:00 PM!
Whether you’ve been serving for years or are just getting started, your presence matters. Team Night isn’t just for a specific team or department, it’s for our locations to come together as one cohesive team and move forward as one.
Sign up for your location below:
SoMi | City | Miami Gardens | Design District
Are you interested in leading a crew? Click here to fill out an application to become a crew leader in SZN 1 2026!
You don't want to miss the chance to hang with us at VOUS High Nite on Wednesday, November 5th @ 7PM, a night for the middle and high school community of VOUS Church.
We'll be hosting a Parent Hangout during VHN – an opportunity to get to know other parents in our community. Dinner provided.
To RSVP for VOUS High Nite, click here
To RSVP for the Parent Hang, click here
Where:
VOUS SoMi @ One City Church | 6750 Sunset Drive
VOUS Miami Gardens | 17801 NW Second Ave
Make Thanksgiving special for a family in need by serving at our annual Thanksgiving Bash, a morning of distributing hundreds of meals to families in our community and watching teams compete for the VOUS Bowl Title in our spirited 7-on-7 flag football tournament.
To donate a meal kit online, click here
To serve, click here
Date: Saturday, November 22nd
Time: 11:00AM
Location: Charles Hadley Park
Join us bright and early at Peacock Park for the VOUS 10K Turkey Trot! Start your Thanksgiving with fresh air, great friends, and all-around fun! We’ll see you at the starting line!
Sign up for the Turkey Trot, click here
Date: Thursday, November 27th
Time: 6:00AM
Location: Peacock Park
VOUS SoMi
10:00AM / 12:00PM / 6PM
VOUS City
10:00AM / 12:00PM / 6PM
VOUS Miami Gardens
8:30AM / 10:00AM / 12:00PM
VOUS Design District
8:30AM / 10:00AM / 12:00PM
Church Online
10:30AM / 12:30PM / 5PM Español
Growth Track
After every service or join online at vouschurch.com/growthtrack
