Be Positive Towards Others!

Wednesday's Devotion (3-22-06)

"He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool. In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise." Proverbs 10:18-19 (KJV)

Here's some tough scriptures to obey. Reply here if you've EVER disobeyed this scripture intentionally or un-intentionally. I certainly have disobeyed this scripture, both intentionally and un-intentionally. I still have that problem creep up on me where I just can't keep my mouth shut. If someone says something that seems really crazy, I have to fight to keep my words in. Or I just have to walk away. There's nothing wrong with walking away if you know that you are about to say something you'll regret later. Here's an example of something that's hard for me to deal with, and I have trouble with this kind of thing: The other day a woman called here and asked for my mother-in-law. This woman was with a company. She said, "Is Karen there?" I said, "No, who's this?" She said, "You know when she'll be home?" I replied, "No, she's at the hospital (She's sickly.) She said, "Can you have her call me back?" I replied, "Sure, but who is this?" then she just started reading her phone number off, and that was it... I said, "You know what? You can't tell me who you are then I'm not taking the message!" I slammed the phone down. Not a proper way for either of us to behave. She totally ignored my question, I answered her questions. But instead of letting it go, I got angry and I let my mouth speak before I let my brain think. I mean what she did was very rude, especially since she is representing a company. I know this by the 800 number on my Caller ID. But even though she was rude, that doesn't mean I should blow up on her. I should've just told her to call back and been done with it. That may not have been the best example, because it didn't really get that ugly. I just don't want to get into the uglier situations.

The point is, there will always be someone who makes us angry. Someone is always going to do or say something that drives us crazy. We just have to handle it in a civil manner. If we let them control our temper, that's not good. That makes us no better than them, that makes us no better than a murderer in prison. A murderer is a murderer because he/she let someone else control their emotions. They let someone drive them off the deep end. No good can come out of it when our emotions are being controlled by other people, or when our emotions are controlling us. That's no way to live, take it from me. I've had emotional problems my entire life. Not where I would fight or say bad things to people, but where I would get hurt easily. I can't tell you how hard it was in school being the boy that cried the most. One time my cousin hit me with his ring on, I'm talking about a 350 pound or more man hitting a little child at the time. I cried, but not because of the pain... It was because my feelings were hurt. Why did he have to go and do that? I did talk trash to him before hand though, but I was kidding. I was a little kid, and I didn't understand why he didn't just talk trash back or laugh it off like other people. Kids would say stuff to me at school, and I'd cry over that. I've gotten a lot stronger though. I have my moments where I'll break down, but not too often. This is another reason we shouldn't say bad things to people... Because if anyone is like I was or worse, imagine the pain we put them through. Of course it might seem like they, "deserve it," but nobody really does deserve it. Sometimes people aren't the bad people they put themselves off to be. They're just hurting inside themselves, and they don't know what else to do. That's why it's important to show love and be nice to all, or say nothing at all. My wife, Krista is in a wheelchair. When we go to the store sometimes you'll hear people let a sigh out and act bothered that they have to move out of the way. She gets hurt, just because she can't walk doesn't mean she can't feel. I get angry, I do. She doesn't deserve that. I don't know anyone that does. Like the Third Day song goes, "If you can't say nothin' good don't say nothin' at all!" If you're a person who likes to say cruel things, then think about the pain you have caused others. People kill themselves over cruel comments. It may seem weird to you, but if you hear something enough you start to believe it. Your words can be deadly weapons or soothing comfort. So be positive towards others.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this message, and for all things. Please forgive us of all our sins, and we forgive all those who've wronged us. Please help us to love everyone, and to be positive people that uplift instead of tear down. If we can't say anything good, then help us not to say anything at all. In Jesus name. A-men!

God bless!

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