My Words

It seems God is showing me things on a daily basis. Sometimes I'm around to listen and hear those things and sometimes I'm not. Sometimes the busyness of life gets in the way and I chose to not carve out time for the Lord.

However, today is NOT one of those days. Today is a Monday and Mondays (if you know me, or anyone for that matter) are just "one of those days". I woke up this morning determined for Satan to NOT ruin my day just because it was Monday. Everything I do and say is a choice, MY choice. So, today I chose to spend time with the Lord and I pray I can make that choice every single day!

God has been showing me lately how important my words are! Words are so HUGE! Right? I mean, they have the power to either pick someone up or tear someone down. So many times, I choose to tear someone down! That sounds so horrible too because it's not like I even do intentionally. There are times when I choose words without even really thinking about it. It's like it's almost become a habit or maybe something that was learned over time and I just need to realize and be cognizant that it's wrong and hurtful.

One of my LIFE verses is Ephesians 4:29, which says, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."This is one of my LIFE verses because it's something I struggle with.

Sometimes we can make the Bible more difficult than it actually is and I truly believe God made it for us so we would know what to do in every situation! So often though, we look to every other place but the Bible in helping us make choices! We look to our spouse or to our family or friends...etc. We ask God to show us a specific sign when sometimes, the answer is right there in front of us... all we have to do is read it.

Don't get me wrong, I think seeking wise council is good and Biblical and I do believe their are certain circumstances where prayer and advice are needed to make a choice!

I just think (and I am speaking to myself really) that sometimes we can tip-toe around a certain issue or decision when in the back of our minds, we clearly know what the Bible says and choose to make a decision that goes against what we know God wants.

"My" words can be so harsh sometimes! Ask my sweet husband who has always been so patient with me, even when I would have punched my own self in the face! However, I know it isn't something that I struggle with alone. I have witnessed on countless occasions how words can hurt. They can tear down and bring someone to tears. They don't bring happiness, I know that! Even to the ones who are doing the tearing down.... it doesn't bring happiness to them either. It makes them miserable and less joyful! It makes ME miserable and less joyful!

When I hurt someone that I love, to be honest with you, it makes me SO angry!  Sometimes I will realize I have crossed the line or said so many hurtful things... and instead of just starting over, apologizing or re-directing the conversation in a completely different tone, I decide to get angry with myself! In doing that, I get even more angry with the person I am conversing with! It doesn't help the situation!

God's word is so clear on this topic. There is no tip-toeing around it. He wants us to build up, not tear down! Bottle line.

So, I chose today to ask God to forgive me for those times where I failed in that area! And I chose to forget about those times and move on to better times and better situations where I will make the right choice instead of the wrong one.

God, I thank you for your Word! I thank you for the direction it gives me in life! You guide me in every way! I just pray that I will choose to listen to your guidance Lord, even if it doesn't come naturally to me! Forgive me for failing you! I am so thankful for your grace and mercy! I long to be like you and to treat people the way you treat them. I desire to speak to others in the way you would speak to them, even in difficult conversations! Most of all Lord, I just pray that you would shower me with your Love so that I can shower others with that same Love! You are so Good God! You are so faithful! I am so blessed to be able to have you as My Father!