CWO IOW - Words for the Wind

"Let us learn to discern whether the words spoken against us or against God or against the truth are merely for the wind--spoken not from the soul, but from the sore. If they are for the wind, let us wait in silence and not reprove. Restoring the soul, not reproving the sore, is the aim of our love"

~ John Piper from "A Godward Life"~

Our Hostess this week is Loni at Joy In The Morning.

I actually didn't think I would connect with Loni because of the title of her page...and ya'll know how I feel about mornings. :D

But when I started reading her blogs awhile back, I found that alot of what she had to say touched my heart. Even if I wasn't awake yet...

One thing about the quote she chose for today is that it reminded me of a post I saw this week at Christine's about 1 Peter 3:9; Trading blessing for insult.

So many times this week, I have caught myself wanting to snap back at MG or at someone else for saying something that "offended" me or something they said that I "took the wrong way". I don't WANT to react first and think later! Unfortunately, I usually do. Sure, it's human nature; but that doesn't make it right. The words we say often hurt more and wound deeper than any physical injury ever could.

Right now, I am having SUCH a struggle with this.

Another idea I had on this quote was regarding people who just need to talk about their problems (like me :D) and the listener feels the need to "fix" the problem. I can talk and talk (and write and write) and it's kind of like therapy, to me. Some people who listen to me don't understand that and it burdens them with my problems as well as their own. So, often, I come right out and TELL whomever I'm sharing with that I just need to talk and don't expect them to "come to the rescue".

The same is true with communication from others TO me. I sometimes feel responsible for their happiness, or I want to help SO badly that I take on their burdens.

Here's where 1 Peter 5:7 helps me..."Casting all my cares upon Him; for He cares for me" and Psalm 55:22 "Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall."

My prayer for this week is that the Father will help me hold my tongue until I realize that what I take offense to is said "for the wind" and let it go. Then I can show the Love of Jesus...instead of the Anger of Janean.