NOTE TO SELF: Zip Your Lip!

NOTE TO SELF:  ZIP YOUR LIP

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,” –  James 1:19

Watching the news can be so distressing.  Apart from the rare human interest story, the average broadcast is riddled with bickering, fighting and cruelty.  All of this negativity isn’t good for us.

I have a history of a traumatic brain injury that decreases my tolerance for anger, conflict and gossip.  It is not unusual for me to walk out of the room when others are arguing or gossiping. My acquired sensitivity causes me to feel physically sick, anxious and more uncomfortable than most people when exposed to these things.

I consider it a gift to feel that discomfort. The alarm in my body alerts me to environments that are toxic for my soul.

When we regularly feed ourselves negative, hateful and selfish thoughts and images, it can’t help, but change us.  And like grapes in a wine press, when the pressures of life increase, what fills us comes pouring out (Matt 12:34).

As a culture, we have become impatient and thin-skinned, trading wisdom and kindness for data and callousness. Civil discourse has given way to verbal battery, and our appetite for gossip spreads damaging, unsubstantiated claims as truth.

Heavenly Father, we come before You. We are grieved at the condition of our world.  We want to live by a higher standard.  Teach us to be wise about what we expose ourselves to, making choices that will feed our spirit and not our flesh.  Fill us with more of Jesus.

Sharpen our ears to the voice of Your counsel, but deafen them to gossip and temptation.

Cover us with Your peace, so we will carefully consider our words before speaking.  May we choose kindness over evil, forgiveness over bitterness, blessing over curses and mercy over vengeance.

Holy Spirit, soften our hearts.  Make us peacemakers in a time of turmoil, and a voice of wisdom that counters the destructive voice of foolishness.  Strengthen our self control, so our soft words will turn away wrath (Pro 15:1).

Lord, we want to honor You.  Help us to do better today than yesterday.  Use us to boldly carry the light of Your love and hope to those lost in darkness. And in wisdom, strengthen us to remain silent, when to speak would cause harm.  In Jesus’ Name. ❤️

Dear friend, most of us occasionally get pulled into the vortex of selfishness, bickering or gossip. The trick is to get out as soon as we recognize that familiar tugs on our ears and heart. Nothing good comes as a result of those interactions. Rise above it! Feed your spirit and starve the flesh!  Blessed are the peacemakers. Be blessed! 💡

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