Focus verse: Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. Ephesians 4:29 (NKJV)
Additional Reading: Proverbs 18:21; James 3:9-10
Last week was a very difficult week for me. Work was CRAZY! There was opposition consistently coming every day, sometimes multiple times a day. And I didn’t hesitate to express my frustration regarding it either. Anytime I felt something, I said something. I expressed it to myself, other coworkers, pretty much anyone who would listen, I talked to.
Later in the week, I had to ask myself where was all this coming from. All of this was causing a shift in my spirit, a shift that I wasn’t proud of. Anytime I opened my mouth, I was complaining about something and it was starting to affect my outlook on everything.
After praying about the situation, I heard the Holy Spirit say, “you aren’t focused on me.” And just like that, it hit me, I did not have a weekly meditation verse like I have had in the past. Instead of meditating and focusing on His Word, I was meditating and focusing on my surroundings and I let everybody else know it too.
We are all being an example to someone. Whether it’s someone that we know personally, like a coworker or close friends. Or someone that we don’t know personally. like a social media acquaintance.
None of my words were edifying or imparting grace to myself or anyone else that was listening to me complain. I had to stop and ask myself, what message am I sending? What example am I setting? Am I looking more like Christ or myself?
I would ask you these same questions. What message will you send today? What example will you set? Will others see you or Christ in your words and actions today?
Prayer: Father, You are such an awesome God. I don’t deserve your grace and mercy You consistently bless me with. Time and time again, I allow my flesh to govern my actions, Father please forgive me. Help me to be mindful that I represent You, and others should always see You in me. Help me to be mindful of the message that I am sending and the example that I am setting. In the mighty name of Jesus, I pray, Amen!