From Sizzle to Fizzle
December 14, 2015
"When are you going to have another baby?" ...She is unable to have a child.
"Are you pregnant?" ...She is not pregnant and actively working on her weight.
"Is your hair falling out?"Â ...He is undergoing chemotherapy for cancer that he does not want to discuss with you or anyone for that matter.
Sometimes the words that we let slither out of our mouths can completely crush those around us without us even knowing it. We have all said things we regret to family, friends and even strangers. When "the foot in mouth statement is made," the intention is not to inflict pain, but the person on the receiving end is hurt and humiliated despite your intentions.  Then, you see the expression on the person's face or hear the response, you are just as humiliated for making such a hurtful statement. Wouldn't it be awesome if we put some real thought into what we were going to say before saying it!
I was reminded to remain humble this evening when I was on the receiving end of words that cut deep and ripped the scab off of a healing wound. The situation actually reminded me of Brene Brown's book, "Daring Greatly", where she talked about how people give commentary to the common judgments on women having a baby, having more babies, weight, being a good mom, not working too much as a mom and the list continues. Â (Great book by the way!)
Instead of getting angry, I chose to remember all the times that I have done the same thing - "pulled my foot out of my mouth."  That simple choice to pray for forgiveness made me instantly feel better. My wound was somehow soothed by sheer humility.  It made no sense to waddle in the pain of those words or harshly judge the person who gave them to me, but to simply give grace and walk in humility instead of judgment.  When I really thought about it, I too had pulled my foot out of my mouth plenty of times in the past.  We all have done it!
Let's not judge each other for making the mistakes of saying the wrong thing at the wrong time, but give grace and walk in humility. Â If you can be vulnerable enough, tell the other person that their words hurt you without shaming or humiliating them. Â Give that person an opportunity to sincerely apologize. Â I pray that this encourages all of us to be slow to speak, quick to listen and slow to wrath. In Jesus name AMEN!
James 3:2-8 ESV
LORD, HELP US CONTROL OUR TONGUES!
