What Do They Have In Common?

 What if something you said to someone were to be what they remembered every time they thought of you? What if every time they thought of you, they not only thought of the words you had spoken but also the way you made them feel? Would this change how you interacted with others? Would you think more carefully before saying careless words? 

Last week I was exposed to chiggers and ended up with a cluster of bites on one foot. The one here and there have bothered me some but NOTHING like the cluster of bits on that foot. And even though I got the bites 6 days ago they have really bothered me. 

 So, what does this have to do with how I started out this post? Alot actually. Chigger bites and cruel, ugly words can cause pain and suffering long after spoken. But thankfully there is a balm for each. 

I tried several different remedies for the chigger bites, but this seemed to actually work the best. 

So how about those cruel, ugly words that tend to pop up and try to inflict when we think of the person who said them, what is the best balm for that? God's word and praising God. See people may not value us very much but God places a huge value on each and every one of us. That is why He died on the cross so that we could be saved and live with Him for eternity. So when the hurtful thoughts start to come into you mind - choose to praise God instead of dwelling on that negativity. 

The hurtful words that were spoken to me were of something that someone else had supposedly said about me. And when I thought of that person - I would remember the cruel words. But God helped me realize that I can choose to praise Him instead of dwelling of things that have no virtue. 

Our words are powerful. I don't know about you but when someone thinks of me - I don't want it to be some ugly words that I have said to them. I want my works to be encouraging and uplifting. Ugly words and chigger bites can stay with us for a while but since we have a balm - let's use it and soothe those injuries. And when we keep choosing to praise God instead, we will find that they sting less and less. 

Meditate on These Things

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Philippians 4:8