Integrity - what's up with that?

"People of integrity expect to be believed. They also know that time will prove them right and are willing to wait." - Ann Landers

Integrity is one of those qualities that erodes little by little, and often without us even knowing - along with patience and determination. Yet, we should all be trying to increase and build these up.

Integrity is one of those hard qualities that is difficult to explain, and even harder to measure. But it is clear to others if someone has it or not - according to  my Mum. My older sister says integrity is what you do when no-one else is around.
The dictionary definition says it's so much more than that. It's about honesty. It's about strong moral principals.

Our integrity is seen by others only as we respond to planned and unplanned incidents. In times when crisis hits that's when you see the true integrity of a person; by what they say and, more importantly, what they do.

To build up our integrity... perhaps with quote from John Milton will help us all.

"He who reigns within himself and rules his passions, desires, and fears is more than a king."

To be ruled by our passions, desires, and fears is a lack of reflection or a 'lifestyle of denial', it's not a cure for the heart; ignoring these things actually compounds them.
The feedback of loved ones, and Holy Spirit's prompting, will lift us to life affirming values; where we can rule our passions, desires, and fears - they don't rule us! Each day as we stand up to ourselves and our selfish ways and fears with the Holy Spirit's help we are slowly building up our morals and increasing hopefully becoming more honest. It's not a quick process to integrity but it's a journey that over time, we will be able to step back and say 'Yes, I am living a life of integrity'.

Consider this; are you living a life of integrity?