Think First!

Through the years, my words have been in training.

My dearly departed mother was a strong-willed gal who spoke her mind often. She believed in giving her opinion often without an invitation. She may have been right most of the time, but as you know, this opinion giving is usually not appreciated.

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree so my words, as previously stated, have been in training. More specifically, my brain to mouth syntax. I'm of the opinion, due to many previous word wounds, that what I'm thinking doesn't have to be shared. The truth must be spoken, but not just because I know the facts. Reading the scriptures for years has been driving this point home and at times I go along willingly. Other times, the redhead living in my skin bucks the system so, 99.9% of the time when I do buck the system I end up eating my words and/or regretting them.

Yesterday's "Courage to Change" talked about thinking before speaking even when I'm right about something being discussed. If I haven't been invited to join a conversation, or if I hear something that could be repeated as gossip, I need to be quiet. Keeping a matter to myself doesn't make me deceitful or a liar because I didn't share what I know especially if I haven't been asked or it isn't my information to give. This discipline makes me truthworthy and discerning. Learning to think before I speak has not been without pain, but it's been worth the result.


With that, the Bible says:


"Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don't miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out."

Col 4:5-6 The Message



I like that goal and aim to practice it daily ~ Have a great Friday!

10 comments:

Wait. What? said...

The goal is to bring out the best in others...

its a very good goal!

cw2smom said...

Great message and one I can so relate to..especially with my adult children. It's taken me a serious family crisis to get to the point where I now understand that just because they are MY kids, that I am not entitled, nor should I speak my mind, because I feel I can and I am older and wiser. It's been a tough pill to swallow, but life has become so much easier since I've changed. Blessings, Lisa

Syd said...

I try to never miss an opportunity to keep my mouth shut. So thinking before speaking is a really good thing. Thanks for this post.

Annette said...

I am embarrassed to say that this is such a new concept to me! lol I don't have to share every thought and opinion that I have. Sometimes I can just listen. I don't have all of the answers! Thanks for sharing today Laura. I loved this.

Pammie said...

Oh girl, you know what a problem I have with this!
My mother told me, and I told my children "you don't have to say everything that's in your head."
I always remember that after I've said everything that's in my head.

Michael Horvath said...

I'm gonna print that out so I can stuff it in my mouth when I have a lapse - lol. Thank goodness I am a pretty good person so that doesn't happen often.

Lou said...

Did you write this for me;)

Sage Ravenwood said...

The ability to listen without formulating an opinion. A difficult lesson indeed. (Hugs)Indigo

Anonymous said...

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clean and crazy said...

Thanks for your honesty, I have an award for you on my blog come check it out when you get a minute