Living the Surrendered Lifeדוגמה

So God, you mean I should only say things that are helpful, that build others up, and that benefit anyone within earshot? And that when I say sarcastic things at the expense of someone else or cut someone down that you don’t like that because they’re your children and you love them?

Friends, that is exactly what our Heavenly Father is saying. Gulp.

We live in a world that focuses on the negative. The news we watch on TV is almost always filled with stories about bad stuff. I don’t know about you, but that really affects my mind and heart. I find myself fretting over things just because someone told me something that might happen. It causes me to worry and steal trouble from tomorrow which totally overloads the troubles that today already has.

The truth is that most of us love a good story. We want to hear the good news. We like to hear kind things said about us. Why? Because it’s helpful, builds us up and benefits not only us, but also those around us.

Here’s a challenge for you: Try going one day without saying anything negative, rude, sarcastic or hurtful to anyone or about anyone. At the end of the day, evaluate everything. How you felt, how the people closest to you felt, and how things were different. If you found that the people around you were better off and that you were better off, considering living the rest of your life with an effort to be uplifting to those around you.

As the old adage goes…If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.

Action Steps
Do you tend to be more negative or positive with your words? Do you insult people to elevate yourself? If this is hitting a little to close for comfort, seek God and ask Him to reveal to you the why behind your hurtful, cutting words.