Use Your Words
Have you ever thought how much wiser we would be if we took to heart some of the words mothers are saying to their young children? My granddaughter, Grace is 4 years old. Ever since her second birthday when her vocabulary seemed to increase dramatically overnight, my daughter began to respond to the first sign of frustration, pain, or anger from Grace with one command. "Use your words." This is the first step to unknitting eyebrows,eliminating stomping, and hushing wailing. I've been amazed at the transformation from indignant daughter to initially reluctant but agreeable child, all because she chooses the right words to communicate her problem.
Sounds simple enough, doesn't it? If it truly is simple, why do we as adults find it so hard to do? How many times have you been puzzled about why a friend doesn't speak to you but you don't try to speak to her and you may even be less ready to speak to her the next time?
Another day a friend tells you she has developed a wonderful plan for dealing with a problem that affects both of you. You respond with nondescript phrases. You notice that the daughter of a woman from church has matured into a fine young Christian woman. In this case you also say nothing. How hard would it be to say the appropriate variation of good job?
Life is pressing in on you. It may be for any number of reasons, unresolved conflict, lack of sleep, uncertainty about health issues, lack of a devotional life. People can just look at you and feel that something is wrong. If someone asks you, you just make some kind of a sarcastic remark and change the subject. Choose your words and talk, especially if it's a brother or sister in Christ. Remember you can give them as many or as few details as you want. You can say as little as "Pray for me. I'm going through a hard time. I don't feel comfortable talking about it now." You owe no one a complete explanation only enough words so they can pray and know you don't have any personal issues with them.
What about using our words with God? Sounds obvious doesn't it? But how many times have we stewed about a financial problem, or grumbled about being unfairly treated, or lost sleep over a tangled family relationship with only a quick prayer thrown in the middle of it all? Why do we act this way when we know God invites us to come? Is it because sometimes we think it's up to us to solve our own problems? Is it because we don't think God would bother with something as minor as what we are currently grappling with much of our day? Could it be that in these situations we are quick to use our words but slow to choose our words as we lay them at His feet?
Grace knows that if she keeps things at only an emotional level she may not have to be responsible and someone might be sympathetic and see things her way. Just like Grace we also don't want to be held responsible. God doesn't let us off the hook. Just as parents earnestly desire to see their little ones mature, our heavenly Father even more seeks our maturity. Use your words, choose your words, submit to your father and grow.
Sounds simple enough, doesn't it? If it truly is simple, why do we as adults find it so hard to do? How many times have you been puzzled about why a friend doesn't speak to you but you don't try to speak to her and you may even be less ready to speak to her the next time?
Another day a friend tells you she has developed a wonderful plan for dealing with a problem that affects both of you. You respond with nondescript phrases. You notice that the daughter of a woman from church has matured into a fine young Christian woman. In this case you also say nothing. How hard would it be to say the appropriate variation of good job?
Life is pressing in on you. It may be for any number of reasons, unresolved conflict, lack of sleep, uncertainty about health issues, lack of a devotional life. People can just look at you and feel that something is wrong. If someone asks you, you just make some kind of a sarcastic remark and change the subject. Choose your words and talk, especially if it's a brother or sister in Christ. Remember you can give them as many or as few details as you want. You can say as little as "Pray for me. I'm going through a hard time. I don't feel comfortable talking about it now." You owe no one a complete explanation only enough words so they can pray and know you don't have any personal issues with them.
What about using our words with God? Sounds obvious doesn't it? But how many times have we stewed about a financial problem, or grumbled about being unfairly treated, or lost sleep over a tangled family relationship with only a quick prayer thrown in the middle of it all? Why do we act this way when we know God invites us to come? Is it because sometimes we think it's up to us to solve our own problems? Is it because we don't think God would bother with something as minor as what we are currently grappling with much of our day? Could it be that in these situations we are quick to use our words but slow to choose our words as we lay them at His feet?
Grace knows that if she keeps things at only an emotional level she may not have to be responsible and someone might be sympathetic and see things her way. Just like Grace we also don't want to be held responsible. God doesn't let us off the hook. Just as parents earnestly desire to see their little ones mature, our heavenly Father even more seeks our maturity. Use your words, choose your words, submit to your father and grow.
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