|
Listen to this devotional: |
Listen while you read: "O Beautiful For Spacious Skies"1
(Lyrics) |
The sun beat down on the worn trail and glinted off rocks that contained specks of fake gold. Birds chirped. A bee buzzed in the distance. Leaves ruffled in a slight breeze with a hint of pine in the air. God's beauty surrounded me, and I hiked with joy in my heart and step.
With a vertical drop to my left, I climbed the narrow trail. Up ahead, a couple carefully walked down steep, makeshift rock steps. I stopped and shifted right to allow room for the couple to pass. Two teenaged girls approached from behind, didn't stop, and skirted in front of me. I stared at the girls. The couple gasped, as they had nowhere to go but down. Were the teens so impatient as to put others in danger? An angry retort flashed across my mind, but God held my tongue. The girls halted, and their expressions revealed that they realized that the couple needed room to descend before anyone could go up. The couple came on down and thanked me for letting them pass.
One teen whipped her head in my direction. "I didn't know. Sorry."
I wanted to give both of them a piece of my mind on trail etiquette. However, in that moment, God allowed the word "No" into my thoughts. The Holy Spirit convicted me that I should turn angry words into kind words. My anger dissolved, and I urged the girls to go on ahead of me. I was older and they'd probably hike faster than me, anyway. They thanked me, and I thanked God for holding back my mean-spirited comments.
Proverbs 18:21 – Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. (NASB)
How many times have we hurt others with our responses? Do our words turn others away from Jesus? I know that I'm guilty of both, and I thank God that He forgives me of those sins. In my Christian walk, I've learned to start each day with Bible reading and prayer so that my mind is filled with Him. At times, quick, sinful words enter my mind, but I know that I have a God Who will help me to overcome.
We all need to work on our responses to others' actions. Let's fill our minds and hearts with God's Word, and commit our day to Him each morning.
Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, forgive us for the times when we've used words to hurt others. Thank You for the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Guide us to pause and think before we speak so that You are glorified in all that we say and do. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Forward this devotional Share on Facebook
About the author:
Cindy Carraway Williams <ecucindy@ec.rr.com>
Emerald Isle, North Carolina, USA
Send your feedback to the author
Wonderful words. Thanks,
(B.C. Canada)
Thank you for the reminder…so true.
Thank you, Cindy, for this important reminder.
Thank you for writing. I know those hiking feelings!!
Amen to that. The trail of life is fraught with such hazards!
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us. Blessings.
Thanks for the encouraging words, Cindy. Been there and experienced that.
Thanks for this reminder to think before we speak, Cindy. Hasty, impulsive words and actions can be so hurtful and damaging. We need God’s wisdom and power every day.
Cindy, I was ‘right there’ on that journey with you. Thanks for sharing how God helped you hold your tongue! May each of us be tuned in to that small voice with a big message!
Cindy, your recollection recalls the fruits of The Spirit, such as gentleness and patience. Seems to me that being willing to practice peacemaking is an application of the Sermon on the Mount.
I would say, Cindy, that you are not any more guilty of “speaking” when perhaps “silence” is the better choice. Thank you for your devotional which truly spoke to me and I know spoke to many others.
(Texas)
Dear Cindy,
Thank you for your thoughtful devotional. I believe you have inspired many to listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to say “No” to certain thoughts that turn into non-God honoring words. Have a wonderful day.
Cindy – this is the first I have read from you. It makes me feel as if I am with you on the trail, having those same reactions. God tucks such treasures in our day, to offer the chance to obey and grow.
Looking forward to more devotionals.
Congratulations! On your devotional! I love it and I have always enjoyed reading devotionals in the morning to start my day! This one spoke to me because I too have been in situations where I need to hold my tongue and I thank God that He helped me to do just that!
Thank you, Cindy, for today’s devotion.
It’s a very good lesson to keep in mind to hold our tongues and to think what Jesus would have said.
Keep the good faith; blessing to you,
(Quebec)
Hello Cindy,
Just wanted to say I was blessed by your recent story that appeared in PresbyCan, “A Lesson on the Trail”! An avid hiker myself, I understand our sentiments here! And we were just down in your neck of the woods last month, hiking in the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains!
Bless you as you continue to write for His glory!
This really spoke to me! During this time of Pandemic, the protocol has changed so often, that we didn’t always know the latest guideline for “keeping us safe”.
So many are vulnerable, so many frail and confused. You helped me to think of other’s needs!
Bless you, Cindy,
(BC)
Thank you, Cindy, for your very mindful devotional today. You are so right that we can easily put our tongue in motion of wrong words that can be very hurtful. We must ask the Lord’s forgiveness and be more thoughtful before reacting to situations we face. Our Lord is ever ready to serve us and for that we must be very thankful for His care and guidance. Blessings for your writing.
Good morning, Cindy,
You have a good message that I need to hear over and over. It follows yesterday’s message of how I am trying to practice “gentleness” as one of the fruits of the spirit.
I can’t imagine hiking on this trail with a sheer drop on her left side. I am terribly afraid of heights.
I do understand your message of trail etiquette and that the Holy Spirit was there to guide your tongue. I needed this control yesterday but didn’t use it. My words didn’t directly go to the person, but they were still out of my mouth. I am glad I can seek forgiveness and know that I need to keep praying to the Holy Spirit to guide my tongue.
Thank you for sharing your experience and your wisdom. I am sure it will help many of us. Blessings.
Welcome, and please submit more devotionals.
(FL)
An awesome Devotional for today, thanks for all you do in your writing.
Blessings.
(Ontario Canada)
Thank you for your insight. Sharp words can come easily. When I feel like snapping an answer, I try to calm myself by saying to myself “what if they sit down next to me in church next week?”