THE HARDEST MUSCLE TO CONTROL
How many of you knew that the hardest muscle to control was the tongue? I do not consider myself as someone with a “big” mouth, but sometimes I let my mouth get my in trouble. Foot in mouth disease is a real disease, the problem is there is no magic pill that you can take to make it go away.
Today’s society seems to reward those with a quick wit. People who have those “come-back” remarks are considered cute and smart. I remember watching one of my favorite movies, You’ve Got Mail, where Meg Ryan was always trying to have a come-back. She was told that when the moment finally comes when she would be able to say what she wanted, she would soon have regrets. I know that I have sometimes spent days thinking about what I should have said. Usually these type remarks are not kind or nice, they are more spiteful. I feel like I let people walk all over me because I don’t say something to put them in “their place.”
Is this the was that the Lord wanted us to be? According to the book of James
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
To combat all the negative actions that the tongue can do, let’s use the tongue to build up. Words like:
- Thank you
- You’re welcome
- I appreciate you
- I Love You
- I forgive you
The Lord tells us to love one another. He does not say to love them only if they love you back. He does not say to love them only if they have never hurt you. Those people are the ones who challenge us, they are the ones we need to pray for, and yes they are the ones we need to love. I know it sometimes feels like that is asking too much, but that is the command.
I have recently read a devotional on this subject, so I had it in the back of my mind. Sunday at church, our Preacher did his sermon on this, so I was sure I needed to talk about this on today’s blog. THEN, I went to bed a little earlier than Joe, so I picked up a book that I had bought 2 or 3 months ago. It was laying upside down with the page marked were I had stopped reading months ago. I opened the book back up, and the chapter was all about controlling your words. I almost laughed out loud. I thought, okay, okay, I get the message. A unknown author of a Chinese Proverb said,
“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”
Tame the tongue. Watch your thoughts. Use your words to build up and not to tear down. And most of all, have a blessed Sunday.
Love this! Thank you for the gentle reminder!
This was a perfect message for me today. Thank you for the encouragement.
I love every word of today’s post. It spoke to my heart!
Tania, you’ve outdone yourself! Bless you for being His instrument. Such beautiful ways to look at His commands. He never tells us it will be easy. ❤️
Thank you for this! I wish more people in our nation and world would take this message to heart, What a beautiful place to live and raise our children if they did.
PS I’ve also done the lesson of the toothpaste VERY effective not only with children but adults too!
I struggle with watching my tongue about a family member. This person really gets to me! your writing today has made the point strongly that I need to change my reactions. So thank you for putting me back on the right track. Blessings on this beautiful day!
Lynne I struggle with that too. Your comment was a great reminder for me.
Think Plunder can make us a special edition charm bracelet with that Chinese proverb on it? I would wear it daily! Love your blog & never miss a day. You’re the best!!
Such a inspiration. You need to wright a book. I will be the first in line.
I use to teach young kids in Sunday School. During my research for kid-friendly lessons, I came across this demonstration where you give the kids tubes of tooth paste. The tube represents our mouth and the paste is the things we say. You get them to squeeze the paste out, now ask them to put the paste back in. We can not put the paste back in the tube it just does not work. Lesson learned once you say something it is out, you can not take it back so be very very careful the things you say.
I’ve always remembered this lesson.
This topic of negative thinking has been quite an issue for me lately, so this post is very timely for me! You certainly were meant to share these thoughts, Tania! Thanks for being open to what the Lord is leading you to say!
Maggie
http://www.thriftshopfashionista.com
And you thought you had started a fashion blog! 🙂 The Lord works in mysterious ways.
This is a lesson I wish I had learned long ago and still struggle with today.
Thank you for the gentle reminder. Enjoy your day
Thank you for this wonderful reminder!
Great post today. My BFF’s hubby had a great test for whether to say something. He would ask “what good will it do?” If the answer was nothing, then he didn’t say it. I try to remember that.
this is the perfect Sunday message for me to read. Yep, I’ve been known to open mouth and insert foot!
Yesterday at a woman’s retreat I was constantly reminded the importance of negative thoughts and how they impact me. During quiet time, I felt directed to create a list of scripture about how God created only the good as a reminder he sees value in me even during times I mess up ore feel inadequate. Might be helpful to someone else, as well.
Have a wonderful Sunday!
Beautiful post, Tania! Love the book of James. We all could use this reminder. I am for sure saving this one. Have a blessed and restful Sunday.
What a lovely post this morning. Philippians 4:8, is a wonderful reminder that goes hand in hand with what you wrote. Have a blessed day! ?
I’m reading a book about this very thing myself. Thank you for writing about this today.
Thank you Tania for this reminder. Enjoy your Sunday. ~Lisa~
What a fabulous message Tania – so true too.
Controlling thoughts is a wonderful exercise which anyone can do and no one can take away from you…my favourite is when things are not that good to go to sleep and dream up a situation I would like…my experience is that if you manage to turn your thoughts to the positive it will mostly even come true – awesome!
Have a fabulous Sunday!
xx Yvonne
http://www.funkyforty.com
Great comments, I also need a daily reminder, Love your blog xxx
I should write that on my hand….what? Tattoo it! Have a wonderfull Sunday!?
http://www.nancysfashionstyle.com