That’s Not What I Meant To Say

I stumble over words that I say. Even when I have the best of intentions, the words I use may communicate harshness or disapproval. That is generally not what I intended to say. Gracious words are received joyfully and encourage the soul. Gracious speech patterns can earn us the favor of others and make many friends for us. Gracious words come out of a pure and compassionate heart.

Proverbs 22:11 says, “He who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.” A pure heart and gracious words will gain the favor of many people and result in many lasting friendships.

Disappointment

Unfortunately, people may disappoint us from time to time. They may fail to live up to the promises they have made. Or they may intentionally do something that hurts us. Even more unfortunate, is the fact that I have disappointed people. Often, I have not lived up to my own expectations, let alone the reasonable expectations others have for me. As Jesus said, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41) We may even fail to do the good things that we want to do.

Psalm 73:26 says, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Even when we give our full and best effort, we may fail at times. We may grow weary also at times. But God never fails and He will never disappoint us. When we trust in His strength, He will lift our hearts to fulness of joy. By His power, we can do the good things that we are called to do.

Yearning for Light

At this time of year, the days are short and I yearn for more light. We open the blinds and pull back the curtains to let what light there is come in. But my morning hikes are shrowded in darkness and even my evening walks are shortened by the coming nightfall. The short days can even affect our attitudes and outlook. On top of that, we become more aware of hold that darkness has over the world. Anger, pride, lust, and selfishness seem to be winning the minds and hearts of people everywhere. We need Light.

Psalm 112:4 says, “Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.” Jesus called Himself the Light that has come into the world. Let His light shine bright in you and through you to others. When you ask, He will not fail to give you His light because He is gracious, merciful, and righteous. His Light overcomes the world and the darkness within.

Joy Forever

Joy can be found in many areas of life. Some find joy in satisfying work. Others find joy in close and mutually beneficial relationships. And still others receive some form of joy in fame or wealth.

Isaiah 55:12 says, “For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” Some things give us joy in the moment. Knowing God and walking with Him gives us joy forever as He leads us in peace. In eternity, our joy will be so complete that even the mountains, hills and trees will join us in joyful song.

Frail Bodies

As I get older, I become more and more aware of the weaknesses and frailties of my own body. While my mind insists that I can still do certain things, my body warns me not to try these things. These bodily weaknesses remind me of weaknesses in other parts of my nature. My mind is not as sharp as it used to be and was never as impactful as the minds of others. My spirit is often willing to do things that I know that I cannot accomplish in my own strength.

II Corinthians 4:7 says, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” We are reminded of our weaknesses by the weaknesses of our own bodies. God alone supplies to power to do good works and to bear fruit for His name’s sake. When called to do good things, we must humbly trust in the surpassing power of God, rather than seek to do it in our own strength.