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Words Spoken For Good or Evil
“… do not take to heart everything people say…”
Ecclesiastes 7:21 NKJV
Life is great; isn’t it?
Most of the time it is, anyway.
Now and then, we get into a tangle of emotions and feel terrible about it. How many times is it your own fault?
Maybe it seemed innocent enough.
Perhaps you were walking past the open office door and heard your name mentioned. Of course, your steps slowed, and you listened to make sure they absolutely loved your recent accomplishment and enjoyed knowing you as fully as you deserved.
But what is this?
What was that they said?!?!
In fact, they disliked your last idea vehemently and weren’t terribly thrilled with you as a person either?!!!
How is it even possible?!
Rose is one of your dearest friends.
Joe always loved your ideas.
You are shocked.
You slump past, hurrying to your desk in the hopes that NO ONE knew you had overheard. The day seemed dark.
You forgot about all the other times that the same people speaking against you today were often your staunchest buddies.
Look at our Bible passage today.
Solomon, who was considered to be the wisest mortal man, wrote these words. Let us remember that his ability was not the result of years of study, but rather a gift from God, bestowed upon him as an incredible blessing of enormous wisdom.
He is reminding us not to take to heart everything that people say.
I read once that someone determined that the average woman could listen to 10 comments about her new blouse. Nine were favorable. One person told her that the color was wrong for her. The only comment that she remembered was the negative one.
In fact, she clung to it.
It was replayed in her head and heart as if a beloved song.
Solomon, with wisdom from God, tells us not to take everything to heart.
Remember that there have been times when you weren’t totally kind. Did you complain about someone else?
When you hear negatives spoken about yourself, will you forgive and move on, or will you let the comment dwell within you and fester, until its perceived cruelty destroys your day, or week, or maybe your life’s outlook?
Let us realize the power of our words and speak the good.
And realize that human beings sometimes speak thoughtlessly, and we are to forgive and move on.
Is this easy?
You are saying a very loud and long NO! I can almost hear it.
Let’s remember that forgiving and moving on can’t be done alone.
However, with CHRIST, ALL things are possible, and we believers belong to HIM.
Next time, talk to Jesus all about it first.
Amen.