"A soft answer turneth away wrath:
but grievous words stir up anger."
- Proverbs 15:1

I got stung at church last night.

We had a short meeting about our upcoming revival and broke off into small groups to pray.  We had just barely walked into the room where we were to pray when something jumped out of nowhere and stung me.

I never saw it coming.

I came into the room and made a comment about how great the room looked since it had been remodeled and then I felt it. 

My face grew red and I could feel the heat of the blood rushing all over my head.  I started breathing heavy and my heart began to pound in my chest.  My pulse raced and I had to sit down to keep from letting loose with a scream.

I sat there just sick inside.  I could feel knots forming in my stomach.  I couldn't believe something that happened so quickly could cause so much pain.   It was all that I could do to keep quiet in my anguish. 

I'm sure you are wondering what it was that stung me, right? 

Was it a wasp?  No.  How about a spider or a scorpion? Nope.  How about a bumble bee or a snake?  Not those either.

I got stung by someone's unkind words. 

And I hope I made my point very clear about how much we hurt other people when we say ugly things.

I just don't understand how Christians who say they love Jesus and who say they love each other, can treat each other so poorly sometimes.  I just don't understand why we can't just encourage one another and edify one another and build one another up...

...instead of rip each other to shreds and tear each other apart.

Is it any wonder that the lost of this world don't want to have anything to do with God's Church today?  When they hear all of the backbiting and gossipping and murmuring and hurtful words towards each other, it shouldn't surprise us that they want no part of it.

Whatever happened to "love thy neighbor as thyself"? Whatever happened to the "Golden Rule" of "doing unto others as you would have them do unto you"?

Christian, I'm sharing from my heart today when I tell you that it's time we stop stinging each other with our words, and start treating each other like we want to be treated ourselves.

It hurts when you get stung.  I still feel the pain right now.  I pray that it's a fresh reminder to me to be careful with my own words that I might not bring pain to someone else by what I say.

Today, when you interact with those around you, remember what it feels like to be stung...

...and make sure you keep your own stinger in check.

Have a "Wonderful DAY in Christ,"
Jimmy D. Brown
\o/ Praise Jesus!