As I begin my week on this rainy Monday, I can't help but think about what a crazy, exciting, and emotional week I had last week. Rekindled a friendship with someone I have missed dearly, and went through two rounds of interviews only to find out that I was selected to be a Diamond Doll for the Auburn University 2015-2016 baseball team!! Anyone who knows me knows that this is right up my alley. Not to mention one of my sweet Theta sisters was chosen too!! (shout out to you Emily!)
Despite the exciting week, two things happened that I can't seem to shake from my mind. I received a phone call and heard about a church family acting like the opposite of a family. It broke my heart. The people in church should be there to support and lift one another up. Not tear each other down. Speaking of tearing one another down, one morning as I was scrolling through Twitter I came across two or three people ganging up on ONE person. Yes, this person had started it with a tweet but they quickly deleted it once they realized they were in the wrong. Does that still give the others the right to continue to say hurtful things to her? (behind a computer screen might I add) No. It doesn't.
Life is hard enough as it is, but when people in your own youth group who should be there to support you are the ones being cruel? What are you suppose to do then?
Ephesians 4:29
"Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them."
In no way am I saying that I expect everyone to get along 24/7 because let's be real, that is impossible. But I believe that the way we handle these disagreements can easily be changed for the better.
Colossians 3:7-9
"You use to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices."
Most have heard that the tongue is the bodies most powerful weapon. It most definitely is. When we let hurtful words fly out of our mouths (or thumbs for those who prefer to hide behind the computer) there is no taking them back.
One of my most favorite verses is Matthew 5:23-24, it says this:
"So, if you are presenting a sacrifice at the alter in the temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice at the alter. Go and be reconciled with that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice."
What part in that verse does it say "Put thou friend on blast in front of everyone" ?
It doesn't. It says to go and reconcile quietly with your brother/sister in Christ. You cannot truly worship our Lord with such hatred locked in your heart towards someone.
If you are having problems with friends, or fellow church members, I encourage you to sit down with them one on one and calmly work out the issue. Pray about the situation before. Ask God to help you watch your mouth so that nothing but uplifting words come out. How are we suppose to reach the lost when we are busy bickering with one another?
1 Peter 4:8
"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly since love covers a multitude of sins."
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