The Slightest Breeze Can Bring Down a Fortress

How can you tell if someone is at their breaking point? Some signs are pretty obvious, others not so much. But I tell you there are times when I’m out and about and I catch a glimpse of someone’s face, I can see their whole story written there. And I think to myself, “one good breeze and the walls will come tumbling down.” What’s sadder still is when they deny that anything is wrong. What keeps us from reaching out for help? Embarrassment, Pride, Fear? 

No one wants to be the focal point of gossip. Those who are self-righteous seem to delight in sharing in other people’s misfortunes. As if nothing like that can ever happen to them. The alcoholic that goes to AA and feels “Sorry” for all the other folks there, the rich person that lifts their nose at hard working folks that serve them on a daily basis. The irony is never lost on me. But what’s worse is that words spoken, usually flippantly, reveal the true character of a person. 

So even if the person they are talking about doesn’t know about their slander, God Knows. It takes a lot of heart conditioning to overcome the habit of gossip. But truly I tell you those words spoken dismissively can have lasting effects. Some that you may not even see the circumstances of till years later. Work to erase any ugliness in your heart. It only hurts you. And if you’re like me and have endured the maliciousness of others, continue to endure those ugly things that folks act like they are entitled to say to you, keep your peace. Don’t let them steal your joy, and most of all don’t let them tear you down for you are fearfully and wonderfully made through Christ Jesus. 

 “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”  Luke 6:45

“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” Ephesians 4:15