Day 26 - The Discouraging Tongue

Day 26 - The Discouraging Tongue

"When they were discouraged, I smiled at them. My look of approval was precious to them." Job 29:24

Have you ever dampened some one's hope, enthusiasm or dreams by raising objections? So many of us have missed our destiny or left our dreams unfulfilled because of discouraging words. We've felt it and seen it and, perhaps, done it ourselves. Most people who discourage don't intend to cut some one's destiny short or dash the idea of an inventor.

People who use discouraging words tend to lack a deep faith in God. We know that God can do exceeding abundantly above all you could ask or thinking--He is God! Remember when the Israelites were right at the cusp of the Promised Land? Moses sent Caleb and Joshua with 10 other men to check out what lie ahead. Caleb and Joshua came back and reported that all things were huge and extreme in the land of milk and honey. They told of grape clusters that had to be carried by two men! They also saw giant-sized men.

When the scouts returned, Caleb and Joshua encouraged Moses and the people to forge ahead and go into the new land. But the ten other scouts raised doubts, the spread discouraging tales about the giants. "We can't go up against those giant men. They are stronger than we are! The land will swallow up anyone who goes to live there. The men are giants and we are like grasshoppers." Numbers 13:31-33

All of this discouragement after God had led them out of captivity in Egypt, parted the Red Sea, fed them Manna from heaven, sustained their lives through viperous hills. The scouts even talked of returning to Egypt saying it was far better to be a slave and know where our meals come from and our shelter. They wanted to stone Caleb and Joshua for their optimism!

God took swift and sure punishment on the unbelievers. He killed the ten discouragers with a plague. He then remanded all of the Israelites to wander in the desert for 40 more years! Further, He forbade anyone who was older than 20 years at the time from entering the Promised Land 40 years later--including Moses. Caleb and Joshua, who kept faith in God's promises, were allowed to enter.

What do we miss or cause someone to miss through discouragement? When someone is discouraged can they count on you to encourage them, to lift them up, to share God's promises? We must always use wisdom when someone comes with a bright idea or ambition so we don't encourage one into folly or sin; but there is a Godly way to do that and not discourage the person.

I remember being in 8th grade when I fell in love with writing. I read Sylvia Plath's 'The Bell Jar" and it changed my life. I wanted to be a writer from that point on. Mrs. Bishop, my 8th grade English teacher, was such an encourager. She read my writings and commented on them. Encouraging me to practice my craft and telling me I had a special gift. My counselor and parents thought differently. I should learn a trade or go to law school, now not to be a lawyer mind you, but to go to Harvard or Yale or Smith! I left that pencil down for many years.

I didn't do either--go into writing or Harvard. I did go to vo-tech for cosmetology and I flunked out for being late--two months before graduation. I've carried that chip on my should for a long time. When I met my husband and started college at 21, we had to take English. We had to write an extemporaneous short story and I remember mine. It was a description of life without your pinkie finger. My teacher loved it (I still have the paper somewhere deep in some dusty box) and my love was ignited again.

So here I am, 48, blogging and writing for the Lord! Two passions in one. My husband, my family and my children all encourage me. I am no longer afraid to just do it. What was once a chip has now become a flower in my life. My writing is like oxygen to a swimmer, like adrenaline to the runner, like canvas to the painter...it is a sustenance for a gift that God gave me. I enjoy it, I am grateful for it and I need it to complete who I am for God's glory!

Do not let man's words derail your dreams, but let God's words lift you up...a man that falls down six times must get up seven. Believe in His promises for you. Amen, Sister Lisa

AFFIRMATION: If I hear someone spewing discouraging words; I will endeavor to lift the person up with encouragement and words of kindness, gentleness and love.