Do you remember that little saying "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but the words you say will/can never hurt me"? I think I recall saying that a few times on the playground in elementary school. Haha.. all those sayings and silly games that we used to do in elementary school. Step on a crack break your mama's back. If you are like me you feel that most of your days are not at all like those days in elementary, middle, or high school. There are bills, jobs, more bills, and family. However, every now and then you have one of those days that somehow manages to creep in and throw you completely off your game. Yes, you have fallen off the monkey bars and everyone is talking about you falling off the monkey bars. Do they really not have anything else to do???
Everyday in life, I try to follow true to my mission in life. Part of that mission is live a life of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and fairness. This to me means avoiding talking about others at all costs. Like my mom always said "If you don't have anything nice to say then why say anything at all." Yes, I mess up (I'm not perfect) and when I do mess up, I feel God tapping in feeling disappointed in me. I will spend thirty minutes rethinking why did I do that? Yeap, Im the worrier, the person who prefers to live in the world that embodies my mission statement. A world full of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and fairness. I am horrible at confrontations, disagreements, and any type of situation that is not the above. I don't know how I ever played basketball as a forward. There were numerous times where I fouled out of a game and I think one time I might have gotten a technical for throwing elbows with a girl from another high school. I was not about to let a 6'3 girl take me down!
But over the years, I have worked to avoid confrontations and in the past year when confronted with anger or hurt, I sought a proverbs31 devotion or scripture. Seeking God taught me patience to think about a situation before reacting in a way that would have created more harm than good. It is still a trait that I am working on, but overall have found it calming.
"The end of a matter is better than its beginning; and patience is better than pride." Ecclesiastes 7:8
When we put on our boxing gloves or shields to go to battle with those who have hurt us, we are not practicing patience. Patience involves us seeking God's word and then understanding that more punches will not make the situation go away. Words hurt. People are quick to judge in today's world, and will make comments that hurt, frustrate, betray, and anger you. Patience in seeking the Lord is a much brighter ending than your pride and what you do in revenge. Trust in the Lord.
So challenge for this week is to think twice before you say something about another. Sometimes, it does get back to that person, and their feelings are extremely hurt. After all, no one person ever knows the path that person has walked. And, if something is said about you and you're hurt, frustrated, angered, or feeling unloved; remember God is right there reminding you that you are beautiful and precious to him. Just like Miss Abileen from the movie "The Help" said:
You is kind.
You is smart.
You is important.
Your wisdom (as referred to in the Proverbs 19:11 verse) reminds you to overlook those offenses done against you. Your wisdom is your glory. Just be sure at the end of the day, every person you come in contact with is able to see those Miss Abileen characteristics about us in the way that we treat others. Allow everyone to see your kindness and wisdom in the way that you make them feel important.
Thanks again for reading! You all are really helping making one of my dreams come true. Hearts to you!