WEEKEND WORDS OF WISDOM

Scotty Smith has such a way with words---even in a vocabulary of whining which sadly I understand well.

Remove whining Lord, Restore and reignite our JOY in you so we can stop whining and share truth with others even during difficult times this Palm Sunday weekend!.

Whining Rationalized

6/13/10 Just as I was headed (slowly) up to the computer room to try to clear the cobwebs from my brain and siphon out a coherent thought from my muddled (fatigued) mind, I began to rationalize my whines---because that was exactly what I was getting ready to do---make excuses. But God….had my eye catch my devotional book on my prayer chair, which is pretty prominent on the way to the stairs.

In the life of a saint there is this amazing wellspring of original life all the time; the Spirit of God is a well of water springing up perpetually fresh. The saint realizes that it is God Who engineers circumstances, consequently, there is no whine, but a reckless abandon to Jesus. (My Utmost for His Highest, June 13)

Enough said---consequently there are no complaints or rationalizations from me today---or at least not at this moment.

NO WHINE ZONE

June 1, 2010 Last week on K-LOVE radio station, the d-jay discussed a challenge that she had been given at a women’s retreat. The challenge---go a month without negativity flowing from your mouth. I had lots of reasons why this would NOT be a good month for me to “take the challenge!” How negative is that. Could I possibly inhabit a “no whine zone?” My June schedule really isn’t a good time to worry about one more thing---especially without complaining---which I can rationalize as just making a statement or observation!
But God…..hasn’t let me off the hook. Just recently my daughter had dubbed me “Debbie Downer” so I guess I need to at least try the challenge----and without the “realistic attitude” of failure. What I call “realistic,” Molly construes as negative.
I did make it out of bed this morning without a negative utterance and quickly caught a “somewhat” negative response to a question and added…..”but I’m grateful.”
Our words have such an impact. That awareness alone can make this challenge worthwhile. Philippians 4:14 says, “Do all thinks without murmurings or disputings.” (complaining or arguing/ grumbling) Those are all vocal terms with nagative implications. WOW did you see that typo---nag-a-tive---nagging is negative, as well. Harping/carping is wearisome and reckless words can cut like a razor.
So speak encouraging words to one another. (Prov. 12:18) Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. (Prov. 16:24)
Psychologists say that feelings follow actions----thus, no negative action from the mouth should influence positive feelings from within. That's a good thing, "doncha" think?
Do you want to take the challenge and live in a “No Whine Zone” for a month? If so, maybe we can encourage one another. I’ll bet those around us will be glad we did.

Let your speech always be with grace. (Colossians 4:6a)