OCTOBER 10, 2023
“Come on in, buddy, we’ll wait for you,” I said while slowing down to let a car merge in front of me from the onto Loop 289 the other day. They didn’t speed up like I wanted, so I decided to go around them. When I tried to scoot over, a pickup slowed down to match my speed, then cut me off. “YOU JERK! WHAT THE HECK?!?!?” I yelled, and the sparks flew…I glanced over in the passenger seat, and Sierra had a tiny smirk on her face but said nothing. “Yes! I know, within the same breath I speak good to one and bad to the other. I know…”
**With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. James 3:9-10
What made either traffic situation different from the other? Nothing did. Both basically needed to be where I was. I saw the first car coming and felt like I was in control and was being generous to let them merge. The pickup took me by surprise, and I had no control, so I was irritated with him. I’ve written several ON THE PORCH devos about the words of my mouth because this is something I deal with on a daily basis. I am finding the older I get, the less my filter works and the harder it is to control my tongue. I could try to use getting older as an excuse to say whatever I want, but God sees it differently. He doesn’t give me a pass for having gray hair and decades under my belt. His Word stands firm, it does not change for my benefit. Therefore, the work continues…
**A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1This was one of the first verses I remember learning as a child. I’ve always thought this particular verse was meant to teach us to respond softly to diffuse the situation and calm the person we’re having the issue with. But God showed me otherwise. It is not always for the benefit of the other party. When I yelled at the pickup that cut me off, they never even knew it. They were not affected one iota from my outburst, and their day was not changed in the least. When I responded with loud, angry words, the sparks flew within me, my heart raced, my pulse sped up, and my face was the one that contorted in anger. The madder I got, the more my mouth ran off. In the past, I have found myself having a one-way conversation with me, myself, and I long after the situation (or lack thereof) had passed. My mind continued to mull over and relive the offense, and my heart stayed stirred up. The sparks continued to smolder and reignite.
Benny and Noah have responded to many house fires that started with one tiny spark, then when left unattended, consumed the entire house and all that was within it.
Like those house fires, I have had many times in my life that I wished I had just responded softly (or not at all) and walked away. But I am not always as mature as I should be, and I have an inner desire to be right. So, I kept the spark going and fed the flames until I felt vindicated. God’s Words tells me that is sin, it is called pride.
**When pride comes, then comes dishonor, but with the humble is wisdom. Proverbs 11:2
Benny and I try to impress on young married couples the fact that they are on the same team. When in an argument, if one wins, they both lose. Everyone leaves a loser while the sparks fly and the fire rages. No one sleeps, both hurt, and neither gets the trophy.
**A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor. Proverbs 29:23
So today, I want to look at upcoming situations with this verse in mind. I aim to live in a way that graciously allows others to merge on the freeway of life instead of throwing a hissy fit and being the raging lunatic in the car next to them. I want to control my mouth better and heed what the Word of God says. I desire to bring God glory, and love on others the way He does.**May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14
LORD, thank You for opening my eyes to see the flip side of this verse. Thank You for showing me it is also a way to protect my own heart and mind. Allow me to see people the way You do and love them the way You do. Give me a gracious heart to respond softly and kindly, even when offended or hurt. Allow me to feed hard situations with love, and grace instead of pride and the need to win or be right. When my human “need to be right” and pride rears its ugly head, let me see it for what it is, and quietly put the sparks out where they land, instead of adding fuel and encouragement to the fire. Remind me to respond in a way You will be glorified. I don’t want to worship and curse in the same breath, LORD. Help me guard my heart and guard my lips. Thank You for loving me as I am, but also loving me enough not to leave me there. Continue to show me where You want to make changes in me so that I can look more like You. In Your Holy and Precious Name, Amen.
**Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips. Ecclesiastes 10:12-13
**The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools. Ecclesiastes 9:17— This is not a Christian song, but it has made an impression on me many times after I’ve allowed sparks to start a fire that should never have been allowed to burn in the first place.
FOOLISH PRIDEhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qr5t9mi39E
ON THE PORCH 