No amount of complaining reduces self-pity, but only multiplies it and leads to ungodly behaviors. Sometimes beneath hurtful talk, lies a broken heart in need of hope, love, and the peace that only God provides. The Lord heals a crushed spirit when we recognize that He is our Redeemer. Have you heard the cliché, “time heals?” Time never heals, but over time, the Lord heals.
“I know that my Redeemer, Jesus Christ, lives.” I know how negative thoughts and words lead to self-pity and anger. Some of Job’s words were my words at one time. Out of my anger, I thought and spoke negative words. As a result, my self-pity and lack of forgiveness, plummeted me into depression.
It is impossible to live a new life with old ways of thinking and speaking:
- I started coming out of depression by forgiving others and myself
- I started recognizing my anger and trusting God’s Word to learn how to be angry and handle it
- I learned not to go to bed angry, but forgive any grudges before bedtime. When we go to bed angry, it gives opportunity to the devil (see Ephesians 4:26-27)
- I am learning that words I speak build up or tear down (Proverbs 18:21)
Repent means “to change your thinking.” In what area of your thinking and speaking do you need to repent (change your thinking)? The Lord heals, but we choose to change our thinking and speaking from old patterns and ways.
Jesus in Me: Lord, help me to live conscious of the words I speak. Help me to change patterns of speaking to build up. Reveal to me, those whom I need to forgive and not go to bed angry. Thank you that I may call on you and trust you to help me in renewing my mind to think and speak words of life. In Jesus Name, Amen!
Today’s Tasting: Job 17-20: Job continued talking himself into a pity party, which caused him to lose hope. He focused on and described his crushed spirit repeatedly, and wondered why his hope had vanished. Job thought highly of his words by saying, his words were worthy of writing them in a book. Job’s words made their way into a book and we may learn from them:
- Spoken words cast doubt and fear (see Job 3:25; 22:10-11)
- Spoken words hurt and broke Job’s spirit (see Job 19:2)
- Spoken words distressed Job, God’s words allured Job out of distress (see Job 10:1; 36:6)
- Spoken words by Job were rash (see Job 6:3)
- Spoken words by Job, at one time, encouraged those who were about to quit (see Job 4:3)
- Spoken words by Job, at one time, put stumbling people on their feet (see Job 4:4)
- Spoken words by Job, at one time, put fresh hope in people about to collapse (see Job 4:4)
Job started resolving his situation with these words, “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives” (Job 19:25 ESV). Job’s words, “Worry about your own sins,” (Job 19:29 MSG) started opening eyes to realize the consequences for God-denying people and how God takes care of those who love and fear Him.
Job’s friends spoke truth to him: Word games are useless. Face reality and trust God in your circumstances or hope will vanish. Hope produces joy, but a live without God lasts a short time ending with a hopeless and joyless life.
Tomorrow’s Delight: Job 21-23
Carolyn Marlowe
Gigi to six adorable grandchildren
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