If you looked at the title of this newsletter and were hoping that I have the answer to my question, you might be disappointed. I do know that our country is in a bad shape. We are divided with Red States and Blue States and with Black Lives Matter vs All Lives Matter. It seems like we have lost the ability to even have a civil discussion about our differences.
For those of you that are in my age bracket, you may remember the phrase that we said when someone was picking on us. We responded by saying “Sticks and Stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me!” Yes, if someone hits you with sticks or stones it will hurt, but words may hurt even more because they hit us deep in our hearts.
Writing about this subject a local Nashville pastor quoted singer Mariah Carey who said one criticism will instantly overrule 1,000 praises. We always seem to remember the criticism more than the praise. In Proverbs 12:16-18 we read, “A fool is quick tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted, an honest witness tells the truth, a false witness tells lies.Some people bring cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.”
I believe the question we have to ask ourselves is this: Do I want the words that I speak to be words that hurt or words that heal? Hopefully we want words that heal, but how does that happen? Luke 6:45 says, “Out of the heart the mouth speaks.” Our words are healed as we replace what fills our heart. And what should fill our heart is Jesus.
One of my favorite passages of Scripture comes from Colossians 3. It says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth but only that which will build others up who hear them. Because Christ has changed your life , put off such things as anger, rage, malice, slander and abusive language and do not lie to one another.” It goes on to say, “Because you belong to God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also forgive others.”
Wow! What a challenge has been put before us. No one will do it perfectly, not me or you, but we can make our homes, our neighborhoods, our churches and our country a better place if we will practice words of healing instead of words of hate.
Thank you for your prayers and continued financial support!
Grace and peace,
Lyle
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