As many of you know, my wife and I have a teenage daughter. She is a wonderful girl, yet raising her can be challenging.
Those who have/had teenagers can attest to how their moods can change in a flash and how that moodiness can ripple through a family. It’s easy to let a scowl, tone of voice, or harsh word bring everyone in the house down. Over time, her mother and I had gotten to a place where we were dishing it out as much as she was. We were all taking our words and each other for granted.
As a family, we have been working very hard on being more positive and uplifting with the words we use to communicate with one another. It doesn’t happen overnight, but we’ve all made it a priority to be mindful of. This change needs to happen everywhere, not just in our home.
People followed Jesus because His words were powerful. He had no ulterior motives. People followed Him and listened to Him. What power these words must have had! Men and women waited for each nugget of truth, almost holding their breath to take in what He said. As Jesus spoke, people tried to “catch” His words as they “fell,” almost afraid that if they relaxed their attentiveness, they might miss something.
Today, we still can sit in the presence of Jesus. We can still spend time in His Word. His Word “is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12). But to get the full measure of this Word, we need to listen carefully.
God wants to reveal the depths of His Word to you.
You need to be freed from clichés and ulterior motives. Read and think about the Word. Pray about it. Ask God to speak to you through His Word. It is powerful, alive, and active. It will transform your life in ways you cannot imagine.
In fact, I shared “One Truth” that’s pretty close to this very thing on my show recently. Today will never come again, so, be a blessing today and be a friend. Encourage someone! Take time to care – and let your words heal – and not wound!
Chad Mitchell
Afternoon Show Host, STAR 99.1
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Simply Beautiful Chad. I love the one truth which is so true. We have to live each day being a friend to all and just loving because that day will never come again, I am going to be very conscious of that one truth. God Bless!
I simply love star 99.1. You all are a good group of people and do an amazing job on the air.
Mavis! So glad that you love the one truth! I’m so glad to be part of the awesome people at Star 99.1. Talk with you on the air tomorrow afternoon…
Thank you for sharing this truth with us. And it’s SO true. Words can hurt just as much as they can help. It’s so important to choose your words carefully. And it’s equally important to listen carefully. We have 3 boys now 23, 21 and almost 19. I constantly reminded them that you need to be an active listener. Don’t just hear what someone is saying to you but actively listen so that you can really understand where that person is coming from and to respond intentionally, positively. You can learn so much from others and others can learn from you. Our words matter. One of my favorite songs is the one “Be a little more like Jesus and a little less like me”. I can’t think of the artist but it’s so true! Be a little more patient, kind, loving, giving which Jesus taught while on this Earth and like you said in his Word. Thank you for sharing your One Truth daily! I love your show! You are so positive and uplifting and bring so much sunshine to the end of our days. Love 99.1! It’s my P1😊 Have a blessed day! Leslie
Leslie,
I couldn’t agree more. Active listening is an essential skill for people of all ages. The song you’re talking about it “Less Like Me” by Zack Williams. It’s a favorite in our house too…
Be Well!
Thanks for sharing a challenge your family is positively addressing through the application of God’s word. We all face struggles and will only find answers in studying and then living out the powerful Word of God.
Chris!
God’s word has what we need. We all need reminded of that every now and then. Thanks so much for listening!
Working in the pharmacy, your words hit home. I feel depressed with my retired boss and best friend, in the hospital with COPD and bronchitis, 2 longtime customer friends pasted away, my 99yr old mother in law has bronchitis while tending to her 60yr old son recovering from surgery who also now has the flu, I myself need surgery to remove large polyps from inside my nose but yesterday my cardiologist and ent surgeon argued about me taking a baby aspirin every morning. My cardiologist said I can stop all my meds including my heavy-duty blood thinner but not my aspirin. So my surgery is canceled 😢 and on top of all that yesterday, my car wouldn’t drive in anything but 1st gear and I have to take rt 287 to and from work. Not good trying to keep up with traffic. This was all yesterday.
I tried soooooooo hard yesterday to not take it out of the patients but this morning I need to go to the mechanics and pray it’s a inexpensive quick fix so I can get to work and if I do I need to be careful again not to take it out on anyone even though I’ll feel like crying again today.
I pray most of the way to and from work everyday and my words and attitude is always something I ask for help with even when things seem to be going smoothly..Today is going to be hard. Very hard especially if another thing pops up.
So so sorry praying for you, we all have as I call “situations”, some worse than others. God is good and will answer your prayers.
Joanne,
So glad you found comfort in my devotional! I will be praying for your continued health and patience with your customers. I sure hope your day today was much better than yesterday. We all have to be reminded sometimes to lean on Jesus.
Chad
Joanne,
So glad you found comfort in my devotional! I will be praying for your continued health and patience with your customers. I sure hope your day today was much better than yesterday. We all have to be reminded sometimes to lean on Jesus.
Chad
This is perfect. Even the best of us who would never say bad things can falter. My one son had many behavioral issues for years and acting out he would say the most unbelievable things to myself and my younger son and I would videotape him so he could see how he acted. He is now 21 and has resolved a lot of his anger but I recently came upon a video still in my phone and maybe he was 13 and it took me back to how awful it was but the most awful part were the things I said to him in response to his words that I cannot even believe I said to him, my child. I am not one who says mean things to people but I guess in the time I was reacting. I have been torturing myself for the past 4 days after seeing it and praying and thanking God that our words have changed for the better. Thank you for writing this!
Judy,
We all can beat ourselves up over things we’ve said and done. God loves you just as you love your son. Go easy on yourself…
Chad
I can totally relate, God has been with me and my daughter from the time she was brought into this world till present. The things I went through with her was simply challenging,but God helped us survive,now she is 28 years old, still home and still pushing the buttons. But she is most of all a blessing! We have become super close.
THANK YOU JESUS