I am so fortunate. I'm not trying to be proud or boast in this fact, but it is true. I am blessed beyond measure. God sent His son to die for me and gave me eternal life. While that should be enough, God decided to bless me with an amazing family. He gave me parents that don't allow church to be optional. They don't just expect church to teach me, but they also lead by example every single day of the week. I was also blessed with a very rare and special church family. One that loves like Christ. It has so many members that lead by example- from past teenagers that I once adored, all the way to older couples that show what marriage should really look like and also show love and care to the youth. But that's not all. I was also given friends in and outside my church family that are also my sisters in Christ and stand for the same things as I do. I attend a school where it is still accepted to pray and speak of Christ. I have a boyfriend that loves the Lord, accepts my flaws, and stands for the same things as I do. As of right now, I am in good health and God has blessed me with the ability to play sports. Again, I'm not bragging but counting my blessings. Yet when I see all that I am so fortunate to have, I feel pathetic.
How often do I complain and groan about the little things that don't go my way? Why do I choose to get consumed by the way of every teenage girl and continue to gossip? How often do I say hurtful things that don't portray Christ? If I am so blessed, I should be overflowing with His love and joy. God has a purpose for me. That purpose could be to "pour [blessings] into me to overflow" and give others the love and joy they aren't given elsewhere, and when I complain and gripe I'm failing to fulfil that purpose.
Ephesians 4:29
"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."
To edify means to "instruct and improve especially in moral and religious knowledge". Not only should our words not be corrupt, but they should be uplifting and improve others knowledge in Christ. God has provided each of us with so much. First off eternal life. That should be enough to speak in praise of God and God only! But most of us have been blessed way beyond that. I know I have. This post is speaking to me before anyone else. Those blessings should allow us to speak praises and "minister grace" to all that listen.
For me, the school year is the hardest time to be that uplifting person. I'm around others who nag and complain, so I begin to have the same outlook. I want everything to go my way and if it doesn't I'm going to complain because it just isn't fair. I begin to let things make me stressed and I start reacting in anger. I get so caught up in my "problems" that I'm not being a Christ-like example that uses edifying language. James 1:19 tells us to be "swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath".
Last year before getting out of my car each morning and entering the school, I tried to remember and ask God to help me be slow to speak, slow to anger, slow to judge (another big problem I struggle with being a teenage girl). It's so important what we say. God gives us so many reasons to praise His name. There really is no reason for us to complain over temporary discomforts.
See how it all added up? God has blessed me with so much. He has poured His love and blessings into me, and I'm called to share that love I'm overflowing with. When I speak negatively, that is not pointing to Christ and showering His love over those listening. If I am always complaining, how will that draw others to Christ? It could even potentially turn people away. They might think "well she's not that happy, I can find more happiness in the world than that." Don't take God's blessings for granted. There are those much less fortunate than us and we never know when we might not have all the blessings we once had. Before speaking negatively, stop and think of all the things we have to be thankful for. Is complaining going to help? Is this really a problem or is it just not going the way we want it to? You never know who is watching and listening. Allow yourself to be led the Holy Spirit and pull others to Christ rather than turn them away.
It does matter what we say and what words we use. Count your blessings and examine yourself to see if your words and language portray Christ and all the blessings He's given you! Be overflowing with joy and love!
Words- Hawk Nelson
Fall Afresh- Jeremy Riddle
Multiplied- NEEDTOBREATHE
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