Shame On You

 

 I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.1 Corinthians 4:14

I have just realized just how bad saying these three little words to anyone is. Maybe unknowingly your parents or a teacher said them to you at one time when you were being scolded.

If you have ever said these to children or grandchildren please repent of it now. Shame is not a good word to cast out on anyone. It has negative vibes. Instead be thinking of a little less harsh word if you have to make correction instead of wishing shame on someone. 

Think of words to bless and show firmness and kindness. 

PRAYER: Lord thank you for the gift of speech but help me not use my words to hurt or shame others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Watch What You Say

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. – Ephesians 4:29

Your speech reflects the kind of person you are and is also an indicator of what your store up in your heart. If you are around positive cheerful people you will probably tend to be more like that. But if you hang out with those who swear and are angry it may eventually come back to haunt you in the form of ugliness spewing forth from your mouth.

The Bible is filled with scripture on speech, words, the tongue and our mouth. It is critical for a person who claims to know Jesus to be careful of what comes out of their mouth. You've heard the saying "If you can't say anything good then don't say anything at all?" There is much truth in that. 

Today why not be kind with your words even when someone may not deserve it or be kind to you. Let your speech reflect the character of Christ inside of you. 

PRAYER: It is so easy if angry to say something we may regret later. Loose misspoken words can deeply wound another individual and destroy relationships. Help me always think before I speak, text, or email. In Jesus' name. Amen.

This Means You!

Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. James 4:11

Do any of these scenarios describe you? Gossiping about someone to include an "innocent" sharing prayer request. Maybe speaking unkindly of in-laws or other family members.  Neighbors bothering you and you chatter away about it. Co workers are irritating the heck out of you and you continue to jabber on. Forming opinions of others without knowing their situation. Treating certain people better than others. Being rude to telemarketers. 

When you claim to be a Christian it entails a huge responsibility and that is trying to act like one when people are looking or when they are not. You may be the only Christian in your office for instance so then you should be kind and set a good example. If you have a hard time dealing with certain personalities then pray about it and pray for them regardless. We never know what people are going through or have been through that makes the way they are.

Try the best you can to not allow any unwholesome word come from your mouth. (See Ephesians 4:29). Sometimes God has us certain places for a reason. Ask Him what he wants you to learn and ask Him to use you just where you are.

PRAYER: You have a plan for my life Lord. I am not perfect so forgive me when I put others down and don't show love. Help me be more Christlike. In Jesus' name.Amen.

Seven Deadly Words

Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish. Proverbs 18:13

A couple months ago I saw a Christian movie that was entitled 'The Seven Deadly Words' and basically it centered around a church unwilling to change or adapt with a new pastor. Now I am not talking about compromising morality or changing the Bible, but not willing to accept new ideas or programs. The seven deadly words were "that's the way we've always done it" or something similar.

If a person becomes rigid and unwilling to talk about a new idea then they won't go very far. This could even apply to families where one spouse is unwilling to listen to an idea and make compromise. Compromise sometimes helps save relationships. It can also help save organizations. The key word behind all this would be 'love'. Demonstrate love in whatever you are deciding. Do not always think it is your way or the highway. We see this demonstrated in our government and it shows arrogance to the utmost especially in a government that is supposed to be for 'we the people'.

What about you? Are you willing to listen to the facts and others opinions before moving forward? The most important thing is to keep Christ in the center and pray for wisdom before any major decision.

 PRAYER: Let my words be few and well thought out. Help me Lord not domineer and try to get my own way. Help me be a kind and willing listener. In Jesus' name. Amen.

 http://www.sevendeadlywords.com/#!

Click link for a wonderful song of praise:

http://youtu.be/d0Qx1e33Ook

Say What?

But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:8

Do you ever open your mouth at inappropriate times and say the wrong thing? Maybe you are trying to extend comfort and it backfires. Sometimes we may say things that seem appropriate but to the receiver they come out all wrong. Words can be taken the right way or totally be misunderstood. With our computer generation it is easy to be have things misinterpreted on emails and texts. 

Our mouth can certainly be our downfall. With it we can bless people or turn around and beat them down with words. We can cause joy or pain. It is so important for us to be careful what we say and if in doubt to not utter certain things. 

When you go about your day today try to bless people and not cause them pain. 

PRAYER: Oh Lord how I desire to not stumble with my words. It is a battle. Guide me as I speak to make up my mind to only bless. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Stop Your Murmuring, Christian!

 Do everything without grumbling or arguing. Philippians 2:14

Murmuring, gossip, and complaining are not a good thing for believers. It is so easy to fall into that trap though. How many of us maybe go to church, sing the hymns, pray the prayers and feel all holy, then walk out the door and complain about traffic getting out of the church parking lot? Perhaps we grumble at the local restaurant when not served in a timely manner?  Yikes but we may even say something unflattering about the pastor?

Today is the day to stop this very bad habit. If you are honest with yourself we probably all have done it. Satan rejoices over complaining, grumbling believers as it is sure not a very good witness or a way to get closer to God.

If you know this is you ask God to transfer you into His image to include His speech. Try your best, with God's help, to start off right controlling the words that spew forth from the mouth that is supposed to be spiritual.

PRAYER: I have been at fault in this area Lord and I ask forgiveness. I know Satan is joyful when I fall into his trap of doing this. I choose to let my words bring glory not shame. Help me. In Jesus'  name. Amen.

Word Power

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6

Words can make a person or break them. Once you say something it can not be retracted. It is very important to think before speaking but how often does that happen? I know there are times I let my emotions do the talking and oh how I wish I had not. 

If someone is using angry or hurtful words to you it is best to ignore them because responding back will most likely result in a fight. How many homicides reported on the news were probably started with angry words. Satan loves hurtful words and he loves anger. He really loves it if he can get a believer to not think before they speak. 

Today before you start your day stop and pray that your words would only bring glory to those who hear them. 

PRAYER: Today I choose to let my words show your love to those around me. Give me strength when confronted by less than peaceful people and help me respond in love. In Jesus' name. Amen.

To Re-Record Your Message Press 1

The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating.Proverbs 18:6

           Ouch! Did I say that?There have been so many times when I wish a recorded message

           similar to a phone recording would come on and give me a do over on something I said 

           which I later regretted. This is unfortunately impossible. Once words  are spoken or typed

            on a keyboard it is too late. 

           It is so critical to really not let emotions rule our tongues.This is a skill that need to be

           developed. Many times harsh, mean, misunderstood words can cause broken relationships.

           Words can lift people up or tear them down. Which do your words do?

          Why not start today and purpose to try to not let anything that will displease God come from

          your lips. This includes gossip, lies(even white lies), hate, arguments, cursing, bragging,

           nagging, words that break someone's spirit, meddling, and judgment to name but a few.

           Go out and let your word bless someone.

          PRAYER: Help me Lord to use my words to help others did not hurt them. Forgive me

          when I have hurt you Lord by what came out of my mouth. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Shhhh!

Because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:20

I love the 4th of July. Freedom is special and I love to celebrate with friends, family, and fireworks. This year was very special enjoying the time out of town in a nearby city with my sister and brother in law. We had the perfect viewing location on a bluff overlooking where the fireworks would be shot off from. This space was "marked" by us for over four hours. During this time we had fun visiting with one another. About ten minutes before the show a very rude lady squeezed in and stood in front of us and tried to encourage her young daughter to do likewise. Frankly I was fearing for another kind of "fireworks" as we exchanged words, kind but firm.

After this "battle" I said "Becky, you know better. You write about love, peace, forgiveness and look at you." Granted this woman was wrong in what she did and taught her child a very poor lesson, but also I did not need to say a thing. Human anger is natural but has to be controlled. It is a common emotion to be upset when someone pushes themselves in front of you when you have done the right thing by coming early to secure a spot. All in all, it turned out okay and I was not about to let this woman ruin my otherwise perfect day. I came away and did what I needed to do "breathe out" like I had written on earlier in the week.

If you occasionally get angry or upset it is good to get it nipped in the bud and not let it boil over. Meditate on verses on peace and love and let God transform your heart to be like His. And to remember that God wants you to love all people and pray for them.

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for loving me warts and all. Every day are new challenges for striving to walk in your footsteps. Convict me when I get out of line. I choose peace. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Whoa! Did I Say That?

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight O Lord my rock and my redeemer. Psalm19:14

Do you ever catch yourself wishing you could take back something you just said, texted, or emailed? I sure have. Being hasty to speak can often times backfire. The more prudent person waits and thinks if there is any doubt about their words being misinterpreted.

Many times in scripture, the mouth, the tongue, or words are talked about. How one little hole in our face can cause joy or pain is a mystery. Words are so very important. If this is an area you have trouble with, do a study in your Bible and find as many of the verses about talking right that you can. Each and every day commit to only saying things that will build up and not tear down. Do not be in a hurry to "get back" at someone who hurt you with their words. Try to remember that you are to be like Christ.  It is the enemy that stirs up bad emotions and tries to cause trouble. Don't allow it. Make up your mind today that you will wait and think before talking.

PRAYER: I thank you for the gift of being able to speak. Help me Lord to use wisdom in how I respond to people. I want to be a witness with every word I speak. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Word Power

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14

There are many times in my life where I forgot to think before I spoke and then regretted it. Words are so important and so is patience before you speak. The wrong words can hurt feelings, bring misunderstandings, and damage relationships.It is always good to pause, take a breath, and think before you speak. This could even mean "emailing" before you think things through.

Our mouth is used to praise God, bless others, share good news, recite Bible verses and so much more. What it should not engage in is gossip, complaining, backbiting, rudeness, anger, cursing, judging or belittling.

It is so hard to wait, at least for me. We want to give our opinion or speak out before knowing the facts. If this describes you as well God can help you gain self control over this. Just ask Him. He is the great Healer and Deliverer. 

PRAYER: I try so hard on my own effort to watch what I say. Give me your strength to master this. Let my words be few and acceptable to you. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Bark Less, Pray More

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6(NIV)

There is a bumper sticker I have seen quite a bit and it says "Wag More, Bark Less". Very good example of really what life should be like. It entails loving and being kind. There have been times maybe I "barked" when I wish I would have ''purred". When you see  a dog wagging his tail it indicates they are happy and playful. 

Griping, arguing, and being hateful is what the enemy Satan wants us to do. This does not mean we can not disagree with something evil in our world. But we speak up in love and be a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ. In general though if we would do more praying and less barking life would be much better. Barking does not always get the job done but entrusting a need to Jesus in prayer and then letting Him have control is what we should do.  Barking could be talking ugly, cussing, judging, condemning, judging, or just being mean. Try instead to show love in your speech and pray and ask God to help you bark less.

PRAYER: I want to show your love through my words Lord. Help me to be kind and loving when dealing with all people. In Jesus' name .Amen. 

PROBLEMS WITH THE MOUTH? AGAIN?

Who out there in my reading audience has mastered the art of controlling their tongue and what they say? I dare say anyone has. I know I have not so I continue to inspire you,I hope,with writings about what comes out of our mouth. 

If only we could use our brain more before engaging the mouth. Too quick to talk, oops!  Not thinking of what we say and how it impacts the listener. Oops again! Being too quick to respond to something. Oops oops and triple oops.

Mastering the art of conversation and the words we say is something to continually work on. Being too hasty, too impulsive, or too angry can do damage to our speech. Maybe you did not mean to say something but because you did not think those words just slid right out of your mouth. Someone once told me we should use the 24 hour rule before speaking if we were not sure what we were about to say was good. In other words,wait 24 hours. In many cases you probably will not say something once you have thought how it might impact the listener.

In the book of James 2:19 we are told 'My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.' Why not commit that verse to memory today to help you on your quest for perfect speaking?

PRAYER: It is my desire Lord to never be misinterpreted or never hurt anyone with the words I say. Nagging, meddling, hateful speech should have no part in my life. Guide me as I seek to speak to your glory. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

TAMING THE TONGUE, PART 100

Misunderstandings often occur in life as a result of words spoken at the wrong time or misunderstood. Perhaps words are said that would have been left best unspoken. Indeed the tongue is "full of poison" like it says in James Chapter 3. Maybe you do not have a problem in this area but take a moment and read it anyway.

Words can make us or break us. All of life basically proceeds out of the mouth. The tongue can cause problems if it lies, talks back, meddles, gossips, betrays, hurts, or speaks out in anger. The mouth we have should be used to bless, not curse. It should praise, not condemn. It should speak truth, not lies.

A couple of the fruits of the spirit(Galatians 5:22-23) come into play in controlling the tongue and they are patience and self control. Patience, to think and wait before you speak and self control, in discipline of your thoughts and mouth.

Psalm 19:14(KJV) is a good verse to end with. It simply says "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight oh Lord my strength and my redeemer.'

PRAYER: Father God it is my desire to please you in all areas of life. The tongue is one of the hardest things to tame. It is so easy to speak without thinking of how it will affect people. Forgive me when I have hurt someone and help me forgive others who have hurt me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

YOUR WORDS...WHAT DO THEY SAY ABOUT YOU?

Our mouth can sure get us into much trouble if we are not cautious. It is so easy to speak without thinking how our words will affect the listener. Words can build up or they can tear down. They can create chaos or bring peace. That is probably why so much is said in God's word about our mouth, our tongue, and the words we utter. Sometimes we just need to stop and slow down and not be so in a hurry to talk.
Are you careful what you say? Once a word is spoken it can not be taken back. How many of us have probably said " Oh I wish I had not said that?"

Here are a few Bible verses about what we say to maybe help you on your journey to get control of the tongue.
Ecclesiastes 5:2(NIV) ' Do not be quick with your mouth. Do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on Earth, so let your words be few.'

Proverbs 10:19(NIV) 'Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.'

James 3:2(NIV) 'We all stumble in many ways.Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.'

Proverbs 13:3 (NIV) 'Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but tho who speak rashly will come to ruin.'

Make it a point today and every day to ask God to help you and guide you with the words you say to make sure they are pleasant and encouraging to those who hear.

PRAYER: Each day is a challenge to be able to think before I speak Lord. Whether to friends, family, or perfect strangers help me to be honorable with my mouth and not let it cause pain to others. In Jesus' name. Amen.

WORDS, GLORIOUS WORDS!!

Oh that wonderful little mouth. It can be a source of joy or anguish. The words that come out of it can make or break someone's heart and make or break someone's day. That is why the Bible says so much about our words. They can lift up or tear down. They can make a person feel good or make them feel belittled and terrible.

How are you words? Do you gossip? Do you lie? Do you nag? Do you complain? Do you curse? Do you say hurtful things to others? Are your words hopeful and encouraging or do they bring despair and misery? These are just some things to think about.

Your words are extremely powerful. Let's say all you do is sit around and talk about your aches and pains or bad things that might happen. If you do this on a regular basis you get in the habit of starting to feel less than hopeful. There is a verse in Romans 4:17 that speaks of 'calling things as not as though they were' or in other words step out and believe in faith that healing will come or a situation will change instead of filling your mind with doubts, despair, discouragement, and fear all the time. Just do it! Have yourself a little praise fest. Start praising God and lifting your hands up in praise to Him and tell Him how great and mighty He is and the things you are in despair over tend to go away.

I have said in previous writings that bad thoughts are not from God but are Satan. Satan does not give hope but God does. Satan does not restore but God does. Satan does not set the captive free, but God does. Satan does not bring joy, but God does. Only through the power of your believing and speaking positive will you start to transform your words each and every day that come out of your mouth. A friend of mine caught me saying something about not being able to do something cause of my ACL tear and she said "remember Becky, those ladies prayed for you and you are healed!' I needed that gentle reminder.

Today really think about what you say. Are you positive and cheerful or negative and discouraging? Jesus wants you to be joyful. He is not wanting you in torment. He wants you to speak positive. If you want to say something tell Satan to leave you alone and stop tormenting you and putting doubts in your head that cause you to speak in a despairing manner. Have hope my friend! Jesus is Lord!

As I was getting ready to write this devotion I passed a billboard for a local church that had Romans 12:12 and I thought it would be great to end this devotion with. 'Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.'

PRAYER: Lord thank you that when I tend to forget to be positive you are there or me to lift me up. Help me Lord not be a pit dweller and constantly be thinking negative but help me to start being positive and speaking positive. It is the enemy who wants me to feel doom and gloom ,not you. I choose to look up, not down. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link to worship the Lord in song.

http://youtu.be/D5V8_k70KnI

THE F WORD

Made you look! I am doing a new respectful use of the F word by thinking of all the wonderful clean uplifting F words. Don't wait for society to think of them. The real F word has become slang and almost accepted in society. It should not be said by anyone as it is so crass, crude, and vulgar. But society has stooped to desensitizing the populace little by little to the point that sometimes we forget what is wrong and right and bad or good. Cursing becomes normal. Let's start a new normal.

The good "F words" are Faith, freedom, fun, fearless, forgiveness,first, and friend to name just a few. I challenge you to think of more.

We have "faith" in God and trust that He is watching over us and hears our prayers.

"Freedom" is a gift from God and only Satan or his demonic powers try to keep us in bondage.

"Fun" is the word to describe what a life lived for Christ is. Once again our enemy the devil will try to make you feel like the life lived for Christ is boring and you can't do anything.

"Fearless" meaning we have no reason to fear what is around the bend as God is in control and He wants you to cast your cares on Him.

"Forgiveness" is what Christ does for us. If you sincerely repent of your sins he offers forgiveness. We too are to forgive others and not hold grudges.

 

"First" is what God should be in your life.

"Friends" are so important. Jesus is our best friend or should be. When our youngest son was just a wee little boy he would always tell us he loved us "one less than God". From the mouth of babes.

So you see all there are many wonderful words starting with the letter F found in the
Bible. Our speech needs to be gracious as if seasoned with salt it says in Colossians 4:6(NIV).

The Bible uses another F word for the time Jesus died on the cross His
last words in John 19:30 were "It is finished! " Now we who are alive
wait for His return.

Is Jesus your friend? Do you have faith? Are you free in Christ? Do
you realize God will forgive your sins? Do you realize you have
mouthing to fear? Do you know a life lived for Jesus is fun!

If you do not know Him why not ask Him into your heart today? He is your Friend that sticks closer than a brother.

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for providing all good things. Thank you Father
for forgiving me when I mess up. I choose this day to not enjoy the
sins of this world but to have fun in the body of Christ. In you I put
my trust. In Jesus name. Amen.

NOTE: For the past 8 days I had been on vacation and when I post my email and blogs I do not have my "Address Book" stored in my IPAD so if any of you missed my devotion during this time and care to read it you can check it out at "www.godslemonadestand.blogspot.com". Thanks again for choosing to start your day with the words God gives me to write.

 

MOUTH PROBLEM?

Do you have a "mouth problem"? In other words do you ever gossip, complain, share a confidence, argue, belittle, strike back verbally, brag, interrupt people, lie, judge others, curse, condemn, have angry outbursts, or call people names?  Those are just a few of the afflictions of the mouth. What is a person to do in order to gain control of their mouth? That "24 Hour Rule" I wrote about previously is one helpful way. Let's say you are mad or hurt and just want to tell someone off. If you pray first then ask God for strength to not spout off your anger may subside. The next day you may not feel the same way.

Ephesians 4:26(NIV) is a good verse for married couples or anyone for that matter. It says 'In your anger do not sin and do not let the sun go down on your anger.' Remember the real enemy that causes strife is Satan, not the person, as Satan is in the job of dividing not uniting. Do all you can to make peace before your head hits the pillow at night even if the other party refuses to. Give up "your right" to be mad. It may take some practice. 

Another superb verse taken from the same chapter of Ephesians verse number 29 says 'Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth but only what is helpful in building up others according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.'  Do the things that come out of your mouth benefit others or tear them down? Just something to think about.

Oh yes and then there is lying, even a "white lie" or "half truth". In my childhood I remember hearing people say "Liar liar pants on fire."  And who could forget Pinocchio, the Disney cartoon character, whose nose grew each time he lied. I am glad that does not really happen or there would be many long noses out there. Lies are never hidden from God that is why it says in

Proverbs 6:17(KJV) in referring to things God hates 'A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood.'

I challenge you to do a word search in the Bible about the mouth, your words, and the tongue. There is so much out there in Proverbs and James especially you will stay busy looking them up. 

Do you best, with God's help, to be alert to what you say with your mouth. Ask God to help you and to reveal areas to you that maybe you were not aware of. Now go into the world around you and let your mouth make someone days perhaps by a word of kindness.

PRAYER: Forgive me Father when I have not been careful with my words either directly or through email or a letter. I choose Lord to be careful and alert to when my mouth starts to get me into trouble. I need your help Lord to get control. In Jesus' name. Amen.

THE 24 HOUR RULE

How many times in your life have you said or done something on the impulse and wish you could take it back? I know I have several times. The mouth and not thinking can really cause trouble,embarrassment, and hurt feelings.

It was suggested to me that before you react to a situation and embarrass yourself maybe give it at least a 24 hour period as more than likely you will not say or do what you did since you were reacting on impulse.

What is needed here? Patience and prayer are two things that come to mind. Galatians 5:22-23 says 'But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.' When you pray for patience, look out, because some "tests" may come your way. Self control can help you with not speaking when you should be quiet.

People acting on impulse can send a letter that they wish they could take back of the mailbox at the post office. Maybe before you had time to really think about something you can not hold your tongue. Emails,texts and voice mails can be left and the next day you say "I wish I could take it back!' Ouch!

Below are some verses from Proverbs that deal with speaking when we should remain quiet at least for a 24 Hour period.

Proverbs 13:3(NLT) 'Those who control their tongue will have a long life, opening your mouth can ruin everything.'

Proverbs 21:23(NIV) 'Those who guard their mouth and tongue keep their life from calamity.'

Proverbs 18:21(NIV) 'The tongue has the power of death and life and those who love it will eat it it's fruit.'

Proverbs 10:19(NIV) 'Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.'

Proverbs 17:27(NIV) 'The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint,and whoever is understanding is even tempered.'

Proverbs 15:28(NIV) 'The heart of the righteous weighs its' answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.'

Proverbs 29:11(AKJV) 'A fool utters all his mind but a wise man keeps it till afterward.'

So you see that the Bible has much to say about our mouth and what comes out of it. When you have time someday do a word search in The Bible about words and the tongue. There are many more where the ones above came from.

PRAYER: Lord I need self control only you can give. I choose to speak wisely and not out of impulse. Help me stop and wait and think what I am about to say and if there is no goodness in it to refrain from opening my mouth. Help the words I say only bring glory to you. In Jesus' name. Amen!

KILLS,STEALS, DESTROYS (PART TWO)

 

Recently I wrote about how the words we use have the power to kill, steal, and destroy. Another thing that can also "kill, steal, and destroy" is our impatience.

How many readers have observed an angry driver who is tailgating and
can not wait to pass often doing it in a no passing zone? Perhaps you
were the unfortunate witness to a T-bone or head on collision as a
result of someone's impatience to have to get to where they were
going and passing when it is unsafe?

Impatience can cause you to react to a situation before really thinking it over first. Being impatient can result in misspoken and often not well thought out words. Impatience can cause a person to buy something they do not need without first thinking it over or discussing it with their spouse.

You can see being impatient is not a good thing. When our first son was born he was three weeks beyond the anticipated due date. I remember the doctor saying "Don't want to take the cake out of the oven before it is done" and in this case you would wind up with a premature baby.
Rush, rush,rush. Fast food that takes five or more minutes sends some into a rage. Waiting at the doctors office may make your blood boil. It is essential to try to practice this very important "fruit of the Spirit" in order to have a healthy, balanced, loving, Christ centered life.
Galatians 5:22-23(NASB) says 'But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.' It is critical in order to walk with Jesus and be more like Him we develop and "grow" these fruits in our lives.
As for developing patience before we speak or email, Proverbs 29:29(NIV) says 'Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than him.' Ouch, now that hits home with me and maybe it does with some of you.
Let us constantly be seeking to imitate Christ in all that we do and maintain peace and patience.

PRAYER: Today Lord I need your help to not just blurt things out without thinking about how they affect others. I desire to lead a life where I can be patient. I know many "tests" will come my way and help me Lord to learn from them and pass them. In Jesus' name. Amen.