What Are We Saying?

Challenges and difficult situations come across all our paths, whether we like them or not. Sometimes these challenges are totally overwhelming and scary, and sometimes they mean having to adapt to new and uncertain situations and changes in our lives. It may feel as if our firm foundations have shifted, and we find ourselves in uncertain territory.

This is not a nice place to be, and our natural reaction is to want everything to settle quickly, or to have the problem just go away. One year was particularly challenging for me in a certain area, and I battled in prayer before the Lord for help, sometimes in desperation, for things to just settle down and take a positive turn. Other times I’ve been more realistic about the Lord’s plans and purposes, because I know He’s building character for all involved in this phase of our lives. We just have to keep walking through this, and keep trusting for His ways and timing.

Once we had guests over for supper, and, as we were discussing our story, the following words of wisdom were spoken: “You know, the Lord can change it in a day”. And those words made me once again think about how strong our hope in the Lord is. We easily become discouraged when we don’t see things changing, or feel as if our prayers aren’t being heard, especially when it takes longer than we think it should.

But when we focus on God, and remember that He plans all things for our good (Romans 8:28), the result is that we stop thinking and talking negatively. Our thoughts and words become wholesome again, and only then are they helpful towards ourselves and others we speak to. And with the anxious thoughts laid to rest, the Lord’s peace is able to fill our hearts and minds again.

In sharing our struggles with people we trust and being honest about them, we also allow godly advice, which helps us see things in a more realistic light. Sometimes pride, guilt or shame keeps us from sharing, or we think others won’t really care. But this is why Jesus speaks of the body of Christ. It’s here for the purpose of supporting and strengthening one another. He will direct us to the people we can trust with our fears and struggles. But I pray we may also be wise in our advice and reactions when people share their hearts with us. Let our talk be wholesome and helpful in building others up. May it benefit those who listen.