Think & Choose to be an Encourager!

Something to think about today – Encourage one Another Daily

As I posted pictures of our CHRISTmas tree yesterday I received several negative comments and one that I actually deleted, because of the content in it. First let me say, it didn’t steal my JOY because MY Joy comes from my creator not humans:) As I sat in bed last night I thought what was the purpose of those comments. If we make comments like that about someone putting a CHRISTmas tree up, what other things sparks someone’s anger to make those types of comments. I personally don’t care if you put your CHRISTmas tree up before Halloween, or never put a tree up, that is by far your family’s choice and I would never think to comment about it. I will admit, I am very naïve. I LOVE everyone and was raised that way. There are few things that force me to comment about what someone is doing, but I don’t approach it with negativity, I address the situation and why I FEEL the way I do, never to hurt or take someone’s joy away. I do get the whole Thanksgiving/CHRISTmas thing and how it is in the secular world, but you are making an assumption of my family and not knowing how grateful/thankful we are every single day. Our tree symbolizes Jesus – LOVE, HOPE, AND JOY ~ and these are all special things to our family:) Traditions brought down from my grandparents. It isn’t about spending a ton of money on gifts that my kids will forget about the day after CHRISTmas, it is about the reflecting on the true meaning of CHRISTmas, the birth of Jesus and the HOPE that he gave to us all. AND the JOY that comes at CHRISTmas time in our home is priceless. The time we spend together as a family baking, cooking, and making homemade gifts and reading scripture; and each homemade gift is prayed over for the recipient; not that they would love the gift, but that they would feel the love of Jesus being given to them. The memories that we have of my parents come flooding back as well. There are so many reasons we love CHRISTmas and it is all CHRIST centered. So as I sat thinking, I thought how many times do we comment and try to steal someone’s joy? Why are we a society that thinks that is okay? Why do we want to burst someone’s bubble when it is obvious how excited they are? Why do we think that is okay? If someone is doing something different than us, why do we think we need to tell them how they need to do it? Yes, there are times I think we do need to intervene, but the majority of times I don’t think it is necessary. Everyone needs encouragement, but it does not seem to be something freely given by many. As humans, for whatever reason, many pride themselves in sarcasm. There is always that ONE person to have a sarcastic/negative remark at about every situation. They may say they were joking, but often someone is hurt by those words. I think many of us have been hurt far more often than we let others see. The Bible says: “Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.” Romans 15:2 Ephesians 4:29 – “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers” Paul tells us to edify those around us. Honestly, I cannot say that sarcasm is edifying to those who hear it spoken. The definition from Merriam-Webster of sarcasm is defined as follows: a sharp and often satirical or ironic utterance designed to cut or give pain; a mode of satirical wit depending for its effect on bitter, caustic, and often ironic language that is usually directed against an individual.

So again, THINK is sarcasm edifying to those who hear it spoken? As believers we are called to a higher standard. We are told in scripture to not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but to be transformed (Romans 12:2 NIV). Therefore, sarcasm should not be part of a believer’s speech. Instead, we should choose to encourage and lift each other up with our words! In doing this, we will shine like stars in the universe as we hold out the Word of life (Philippians 2:15&16 NIV). Find someone today to speak kindly to and build them up. . take time to make a difference in someone else’s life today. I love ALL you guys and respect every single one of you:) Let’s show each other the same grace that we want God to show us every single day and we all know we don’t deserve it, but he gives it freely:) GOD IS GOOD. . .ALL THE TIME!!

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