When I was in the pit of procrastination, a sure fire give away was my mouth. My traitor mouth would reveal where my heart and mind really were. Actually I was telegraphing the state of my Self and the negative consequences of my decisions. I was so preoccupied with covering for Self I didn’t see or acknowledge the truth. I just barreled on. After all, I had goals. I had things to get done!
In Matthew 12:33-37 Jesus says “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” He says good comes out of the good treasure in a man and evil comes out of the evil treasure in someone. He says we’ll be accountable for every idle word and that by our words we will be justified or condemned. What fills my heart spills out through my speech.
Years back it came out when my husband – or especially, children – didn’t cooperate with the expectations I inflicted on them. I expected their utmost cooperation because I was late getting on my agenda; therefore, I needed their perfect obedience. I wanted them to take initiative to do things that would help me accomplish what I needed to do. That’s how I saw it.
They saw that I was irritable, rushed, and struggling. They cringed when I yelled at them to hurry or pulled their coats on too quickly. The words and manner in which I spoke revealed the mess inside me, not them.
The excuses, irritation, and hurry came from an angry, embarrassed heart. I was angry because my goals were being thwarted. Yet I put myself in that position. I tried to do too much in too short a time. Or I chose to do laundry when I should have walked the dog. I was embarrassed by the nagging idea I had done this to myself. So out of my angry, embarrassed heart shot hurtful words – mostly onto my children.
Setting appropriate goals and then doing what needs doing when it needs doing helps avoid this turmoil and hurt. Our colleagues, husbands, children, and we are blessed if our honest mouths speak kind words from a calm, thoughtful spirit. If we do what needs doing when it needs doing, we can both achieve goals and respect precious hearts.
What have the words of your mouth revealed lately about your heart?
Wow, Beth, this is convicting! Unfortunately, I can identify with this and so can my kids.
I -we- spent too many years this way, Leah. But Hallelujah! God is good to change us! Once we become aware it’s our problem not somebody else’s and we accept responsibility…then the power of the Holy Spirit moves in to alert us before we hurt tender hearts. We start thinking ahead – then act sooner and more calmly. God is loving all of you!
Holy Spirit thank you for using Beth’s words to open my eyes to how I have wrongfully treated others. Bless her for speaking the Truth and showing us how to grow in our walk with you Heavenly Father.
Oh, Susan, the Holy Spirit is at work in us all the time, isn’t He? He is faithful. I wish I hadn’t been resistant to truth and therefore such a late learner. (I would’ve called it busy, overloaded, preoccupied, etc.) But God is so gracious He takes our sin and uses it for His better purposes. Thank you for the encouragement. God bless you in your walk!