Todays devotion was written by Rachel Britton
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23-24
Have you been on the receiving end of someone else’s road rage? I experienced something similar recently while riding a ski chairlift.
As we pulled down the safety bar I heard a grunt from the snowboarder next to me. I turned to ask him what happened, although I realized the bar had hit him on his helmet. My question only gave him the opportunity to ferociously complain and blame my poor elocution and articulation—referring to my English accent—for the accident.
I didn’t feel what had happened was actually my fault. There was another skier on the chairlift with us who had helped pull down the bar. So, instead of saying sorry I said: “Well maybe you deserved it.” This was like pouring gasoline on a fire. Out of the snowboarder’s mouth came a torrent of abuse. I began to fear for my physical safety. As we slid off the lift at the top, the skier next to me said: “That’s one angry young man.”
A cauldron of rage boiled away inside this guy and it flowed out like lava that morning. I am not proud either of my comment that fueled his fury.
Proverbs 4:22 teaches it is paramount to guard our hearts because it influences the words we use. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of, says Matthew 12:34.
So how do we protect our hearts to enable our words to build up instead of tear down?
Spend time with God.
Bring your unlovely thoughts and ugly feelings to God in prayer and ask for forgiveness. –Tweet this!
Read God’s Word.
We must feast on scripture so we are filled with God’s words and they overflow into our thoughts and speech. Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds says Deuteronomy 11:18.
Wear God’s armor.
Negative thoughts are like the flaming arrows of the evil one and dwelling on them can lead to harmful words. Banish them in the name of Jesus as you hold up the shield of faith.
Let’s pray:
Lord, cleanse my heart so the words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight. (Psalm 19:14) In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Meet Rachel Britton
Rachel is a British-born writer and speaker. She is passionate about helping women know their true worth so they can live boldly. Raised on the east coast of England, she now lives in Massachusetts with her husband and three children. Rachel cannot live without English tea and chocolate.
Connect with Rachel at www.rachelbritton.com, on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Thank you for following along today. I hope you were encouraged and inspired by Rachel’s words. ~Kelly
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I find that a lot of people don’t think their words matter and then others on the extreme, Jesus knows there was only one perfect person, Him. Yet. we are to follow in His footsteps.
Your words are so right, we are to follow in Jesus’ footsteps, listen to his words and learn from his example. Thanks for commenting.
Oh my goodness! My younger sister Corrie and I were just discussing this last night (or this morning, however you want to look at it ;)) about how we need to watch what we say because our younger siblings (there’s quite a few) are picking up the things we say in jest and repeating them seriously…so we were trying to discern what we could do to help us remember. I’m glad I found your post! Thank you so much!
~Haley
Haley, I’m glad this post came at just the right time. Love how God works.
That is awesome Haley. Love watching God work!
Kelly, it’s an honor to be featured on your blog today. Thank you so much.
You are very welcome! Thank you for being willing to share your words of wisdom with us today Rachel.