Tag Archives: Devotional

Stop Gossipping!

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Let’s be real: you’ve gossipped before right? You won’t readily admit it, but it’s probably true.

In fact, I’ve gossipped before – and I’m not proud of it. Quite frankly, it’s a shame. It’s nasty. It’s hurtful.

It may not be murder or robbery, but it’s still sin. It’s wrong. The reality is we can “murder” or “kill” someone’s reputation with gossip. We can “rob” someone of their peace when we disturb their spirit because of what is being said. Proverbs 26 verse 20 says, “Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.” Whether the information is true or false, why be the wood that enables the fire? If the person were present, would you still share that information?

Look, you have probably heard what someone has said about you right? Didn’t it hurt or disappoint you? Have you not done the same at some point over WhatsApp or while meeting up with your friend at Starbucks or on the phone? Even Christians sometimes get caught up in gossip while sharing and asking another Christian to pray about a matter. Beware believers!

We preface the gossip with:

“I understand that…”
“I heard that…”
“My friend (name), is going through the same thing. The only difference with her is…”

If someone has shared something personal with us or we are aware of a matter – whether a married man has children with other women, a woman wears the pants in the relationship, a couple has been trying for years to conceive, your colleague’s nephew died of AIDS or the next door neighbour’s godson got caught stealing from his workplace – is that our business? Does it concern you? How is the information being shared helping the situation?

Think: Is what you’re saying edifying or fueling the rumour mill? What if it were you or your family member being discussed? How would you feel? Proverbs 25 verse 9 encourages us to, “…discover not a secret to another.” And remember, he who gossips with you, will gossip about you! Why not choose to uninstall your internal gossip app?!

Here are FOUR practical tips to stop gossip in its track:

1) Switch on the gossiper and find something positive about the person or situation to say. Turn the tables.

2) Be bold and say, “Honestly, that’s her/his business. Let’s leave it alone.”

3) If you are in a group and gossipping is occurring, literally remove yourself with an “Excuse me. I have to leave.” And if for some reason, it’s impractical, simply do not join in the conversation. If someone pushes you by asking a question, simply say, “I’m staying out of it” or “It aine my business.”

4) Turn the gossip into an opportunity to pray. Encourage the person gossipping to pray about it and remind them that God is able to turn the situation around.

Today, let us pledge to do better regarding gossiping:

I pledge to mind my own business.

Simple.

Growing in Christ,

Hadassah

Real Friends Tell You the Truth!

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I’ve had this quote stored in my phone for several months; it resonates with me. I truly believe what we put into our systems affect us. What we allow our eyes to dwell on, what we listen to, who we associate with. In fact, the words in the image above support my August 16th post, What are You Eating?

Today, the portion I wish to focus on is the “people you hang around.” And this is not just for young people; it’s for you older folk as well. Are the people you associating with elevating you? Do they enrich your life? People who really care about you, won’t allow you to go down a pathway that leads to destruction. True friends or family members, tell you the truth – even if that truth hurts. And yes, it’s not what we say, but how we say it, but I have a brother, who often says, “We need to pull them out of the fire!”

Years ago, while studying towards my Bachelor’s degree, something happened between me and a very dear friend of mine, Katina. Later that night, following our class, she called me (days before Whatsapp) and was so real. She told me she saw something in me, a character trait that was, “Ugly.” And you know, I really couldn’t say much because what she thought she was revealing, I already knew. Nevertheless, it was sobering, hearing it coming from someone else. It was something I struggled with, but being the REAL FRIEND she was – and still is today – she needed to say it. And I thank her. In fact, THANKS BE TO GOD, that character trait is far removed from me. I have DEFINITELY GROWN! BUT GOD!

What is just as beautiful is our friendship remains in tact. I did not cut her off because she told me the truth – which would have been ungodly. Our relationship grew because I realized, here was someone who cared enough about me to tell me the truth and wanted to see change. I thank God for her and she was someone I chose to be by my side on my wedding day.

You might not be a Christian at this moment, but even so, please choose carefully who you associate yourself with. Surround yourself with people who are focused, people of integrity, people who have your back for good reasons and won’t lead you down a path of unrighteousness. Now is the perfect time to reevaluate your relationships.

Growing in Christ,

Hadassah

Give God What’s Right – Not Left!

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I remember when I was studying online for my Master’s degree with Kent State University. It was two years of financial sacrifice, but also sacrifice of my time. I worked all day, then went home to conduct research, write papers, do homework and respond to classmates. Weekends, nights, early mornings, holidays, were not mine. So perhaps you would understand why I felt compelled to tour the campus, participate in graduation activities for international students, meet my favourite professor and walk across that stage!

But what I really wish to get across is the fact that I had to make major adjustments early into that Master’s program. I found that I would go home, eat and then head straight to a book or my computer. I then noticed I would finish LATE at night or sometimes not really be finished, but just decided because I was soooooo mentally and physically drained, I needed to shut down the computer or close the book.

I also noticed that when it was time to pray, it was quick, just to acknowledge God at the end of the day and I wasn’t spending as much time in His Word. Note, I was doing something positive – studying for a degree. This would result in advancement in life, but while studying for higher attainment of something natural, my spiritual life was being sapped.

As a Christian, you know when you’re not spending quality time with God. You feel it. Just think about how many of us can spend over an hour at dinner with a friend or loved one, chatting about the latest happenings in our lives. It’s like nothing to watch a movie that is over an hour. And we have no problem spending hours – literally hours – at theme parks. After all, we have to get our money’s worth – right?! I sure do!

But what about spending time with God?

What woke me up besides the emptiness I was feeling, was also passing a church sign that said, ‘Don’t give God what’s left. Give Him what’s right!’ That immediately resonated with me and even to this day, though I’ve previously and since passed many church signs, that is the one which stands out to me. It is the one I remember and have shared with others.

I have found that it is easy to be busy doing good! There is nothing wrong with volunteering for charity, mentoring youth, studying towards a degree etc., but that quiet, personal time in prayer, study of God’s Word and meditation – more importantly application of that Word – are extremely important for spiritual sustenance and growth.

The Word of God is bread. It is water. Just as the body needs food and water to survive, so our spiritual bodies need food and water for sustenance.

I encourage you to be intentional about your time with God. We give the world and family LOTS of our time. What about God, who gives us life, health and strength to do the things we do?

As Paul admonishes in 1 Timothy 4:13, “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.’ The Word of God is God’s blueprint for living a godly life right here on earth.

Growing in Christ,

Hadassah