Words That Help!

By Renee Burt

I left everyone yesterday with this question: So what SHOULD we do when someone has a complaint against someone else, and they say they need to talk to someone about it? Do we politely brush them off and tell them we can’t talk to them? No! The point isn’t to deprive people of someone to talk to. The point IS to help point the conversation in the right direction. So it’s not just a venting session…or a commiserating session…or a gossip session…which it can easily become. Instead, when that kind of conversation presents itself to me, what I pray is that God will help me to bring encouragement to that person, and some godly perspective…whether it be that they need to go to that other person to work things out, or to help them see that they just need to move past it, or possibly even to be daring enough to help them see that their current perspective or perception is skewed. Now, you might think, “But HOW would I know what to say? And what if I say the wrong thing?” That’s where you need to learn to apply today’s scripture to your life each and every day. I do, and I’m amazed continually by the things God helps direct me to say to people who need to talk to someone. I’m thankful that I don’t have to rely on my own wisdom or know-how…and I don’t have to have experienced what they’re experiencing. All I need to know is that if I’m faithful to open up my ears to the Lord each morning, asking Him to help me say what HE wants me to say that day to encourage someone…well, let me just say, He has never failed once to give me the right kinds of words to help that person in that situation. I’m awake and ready to “take orders.” Want to join me?

Isaiah 50:4 MSG ~ The Master, God, has given me a well-taught tongue, So I know how to encourage tired people. He wakes me up in the morning, Wakes me up, opens my ears to listen as one ready to take orders.

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