A group of frogs was traveling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit. All the frogs gathered around the pit, when they saw the frogs were as good as dead, they said, "just give up and die." One gave up while the other continued to jump. Finally after of hours of trying one finally made it out of the pit. They ask, "Why did you keep jumping when we told you to just give up and die?" The frog explained that he was deaf; he thought they were encouraging him the entire time.
Each of us needs to be careful what we say with out tongues. People's words are like an elevator; they either take you up or take you down.
He that will see good days let him refrain his tongue from evil that his lips speak no guile. (1 Peter 3:10) Some people wonder why they don't have many friends? Could it have something to do with the way they express themselves in their conversation. Twenty seven times in the New Testament we see the words one another. God tells us to encourage, to edify, to pray, to build up, to fellowship, to tolerate, to be patient, to be compassionate with one another. These are just a few of God's direct words in our conversations.
God tells us to do two things in life. "Love God and to Love people." Be careful and cautious with the words you use to those around you. A pastor was building a fence while the neighbor's 12- year- old son watched. The pastor smiled and said, "Interested in carpentry, "Nope, the boy replied. "Just want to hear what a preacher says when he hits his thumb with a hammer!"
Remember people are listening to our words, are they edifying, encouraging, compassionate, controlled? David said, "Let the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be acceptable in they sight, blessed is our redeemer." (Psalm 19:14)
Here are a few things to remember when you are in a very difficult time with another person.
1) Always attack the problem and not the person. It's easy to allow your hurts and emotions to say something that you may later regret.
2) Cool off before you engage in this conversation. The cap on the radiator under the hood of a car says " NEVER REMOVE WHEN HOT." That is some good advice when you have gotten heated about an issue.
3)Plan a good time to have a discussion about the problem. Midnight isn't usually the best time to approach your issues. You are tired and will end up saying something you regret.
4) Pray for the one who has upset you.Do we really believe in prayer? Praying is saying, "God I can't do this thing without you." I have learned that prayer has so much more effect in working through the issues with people, than all my talking and debating about the issue.
5) Look for the best in people.Give people the benefit of the doubt. Everybody is not an evil person. The dude who just took your parking spot, or who cut in front of you on the highway, they may have just lost their parent, they may be going through a divorce. Most are living in the fog during these times.
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (Col 4:6) May we all humble ourselves each morning and ask God for His abundant grace and help in being generous with our tongues.
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