The Power of the Tongue

Anger got the best of me. The realization that we had been taken advantage of was an unpleasant feeling. Some workers had stopped by our house asking if we needed additional pine straw for our yard. And the truth of the matter was, we did. They agreed to install the pine straw for the price we typically paid for just the straw. Good deal, right? Wrong.

We made a crucial mistake. We didn't count the number of bales of pine straw they actually laid, and when it was time to pay the workers, the bill they handed us was outrageous. Having laid hundreds of bales of pine straw over the years, and seeing the trailer they were hauling, we knew there was no way they had installed the number of bales they claimed to have laid. But we had no way to prove it...

Hindsight is always 20/20. We tried to question the workers politely, giving them the benefit of the doubt. Maybe they had made an honest mistake. But they stuck to their story that, yes indeed, they had laid 265 bales of pine straw in less than two hours. In fact, the man who was the head of the crew assured me that he could lay 100 bales of pine straw in one hour - no problem.

As the tales got taller, I could feel my pulse quicken. Did this man honestly think I believed him? I told him in no uncertain terms that I knew he had cheated us. By now, my emotions had kicked into high gear. All rational thinking out the window, I wanted this crew to know we were onto their charade.

In the midst of my tirade, I disregarded the fact that I wasn't living up to who I am in Christ. The reality that my unkind words were just as wrong as their lies, didn't even cross my mind. I have to admit that I wasn't seeing them as Christ does. People who needed to be pointed to the Savior. I was more concerned about the money we were losing.

I was ashamed of myself. When all was said and done, we ended up paying the outrageous bill and I apologized for my behavior. Did we get ripped off? Yes! Did we have a reason to be upset? Absolutely! But in spite of the injustice, I could have chosen to respond differently. God's Word is clear about the results of anger, "For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God," (James 1:20; KJV).

Over and over, I'm reminded that God's way is to be slow to anger, "He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly," (Proverbs 14:29). Again, King Solomon writes, "A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife," (Proverbs 15:18).

I'm thankful for a God who is patient with me, and is described as, "...merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy," (Psalms 103:8). Although my tongue got the better of me in this particular situation, today I choose to submit myself to the Lord, allowing Him to renew my mind with His Word. The truth of the Proverbs rings clear, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue..." (Proverbs 18:21a). Today I choose life-giving words!

Do you struggle with anger? What will you do differently in order to be slow to anger?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your forgiveness when I fail. Help me to submit to Your Holy Spirit so I can speak words that draw others to You. When I'm focused on my 'rights,' remind me that life's not about me, but each encounter with others is an opportunity to point them to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Perfect Provision

For days our pond was 'disturbed' by humans. Humans we had paid to fix a multitude of problems. Once finished, with the final boulder in place and the spring-fed creek raising the pond back to its normal water level, it didn't take long for 'them' to come back. Literally within hours, the wildlife we were accustomed to, had returned.

A family of four deer stepped gingerly down to the water's edge to get a drink. A red-shouldered hawk kept his gaze fixed on the pond, watching for even the slightest movement from something edible. A brown water snake glided effortlessly through the pond from one side to the other. Once again, our yard was teeming with God's creatures. I hadn't realized how much I had missed them. The pond acted as a source of life for these 'friends,' large and small alike.

Just like the pond provides for the wildlife in our yard, God's word provides for each one of us. Although the needs of the animals are different, the pond clearly meets each need. Our individual needs vary greatly, yet God's word provides for each and every one of them. From our greatest need for salvation to our daily need for wisdom and guidance. From our need to be loved, to our need for assurance of God's presence. The Bible holds life-giving words that provide nourishment for our souls.

Even as I am able to see my reflection in our pond, the law of God acts as a mirror, reflecting my sin and showing me my need for a Savior. I'm reminded of a certain Pharisee, Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He was a deeply religious man, yet, unlike the other Pharisees, Nicodemus was convinced that Jesus was a teacher come from God. For fear of the Jews, Nicodemus approached Jesus at night. Jesus responded to him, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3; KJV). Seeing Nicodemus' confusion, Jesus explained further, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). Nicodemus believed these life-giving words of Christ and later we see the difference they made in his life. He and Joseph of Arimathaea boldly approached Pilate to ask permission to bury the body of Jesus, following His crucifixion. Honoring Christ was now more important to Nicodemus than honoring the Pharisees.

As I seek wisdom and guidance in my daily life, God's word reminds me of our spring-fed creek. Much like a spring, His word bubbles over with verse after verse related to these topics. The book of James encourages me to ask for wisdom, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him" (James 1:5). If I'm to be wise, I'm to begin with reverencing God, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever" (Psalm 111:10). God promises to guide me, "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye" (Psalm 32:8). He shares a characteristic of those whom He is able to guide, "The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way" (Psalm 25:9).Valuable words of life.

On those days when I question God's love for me, His word is replete with precious truth. King Solomon writes, "I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me" (Proverbs 8:17). When I'm feeling all alone, scripture reminds me otherwise. "...for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5b). Again in the book of Matthew, "...and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world" (Matthew 28:20).

Whether your need is similar to one mentioned here, or totally different, you can be assured that God's word is a treasure trove waiting to be mined. Take time to search the scriptures today, the life giving words you need can be found within the pages of God's holy word!

Heavenly Father, Your word is truth and light. Thank you that the answers to all of life's questions can be found within the pages of the Bible. In the words of the Psalmist, "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God" (Psalm 42:1). Quench my thirst, O Lord. Amen.