We
having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and
therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; -II Corinthians 4:13 (KJV)
My
grandfather had a saying; “Do not bother complaining; your friends cannot help
you and you will make your enemies glad.”
There is great truth to the statement.
You have probably had the misfortune of spending time with someone who
complained about nearly everything. How
did this make you feel? Did you come
away feeling uplifted or drained? I
believe you know the answer. Being
around people who complain incessantly has a way of quickly bringing us down
from a good mood. Personally, I dislike
myself the most when I realize I am complaining. Doing so brings me down and I know it does
nothing for others.
On
the other hand, when we speak words of encouragement, those around us are
uplifted, strengthened, and bolstered in their faith. Hopefully, they come away from their time with
us glad rather than discouraged. A verse
the Lord has given me to help me speak good words of faith and encouragement is
found in II Corinthians 4:13, “I have believed, therefore have I spoken.” When I feel myself worrying and becoming
discouraged, I seek to utter words of faith and praise to God. The results are remarkable. I begin to feel better about whatever
problems I am facing and my faith grows in the process.
I
often minister to people who are so overcome with their problems that they rarely,
if ever, speak any positive words. My
heart goes out to such persons, for I know how easy it is to be consumed with
self-pity and sorrow. Christ calls us,
He compels us, to rise up out of sorrow and gloom and begin walking forward in
victorious faith.
Think
today about the words you speak. Are you
often complaining, negative, critical, or cynical? If so, resolve with God’s help to speak words
of faith and praise to God. Others will
see the change and will be encouraged to do the same, for they will see the
light of Christ shining through.
God
bless you today.
