DISCLAIMER: I’m just venting…

DISCLAIMER: I’m just venting…

Written by Rachel Morgan.

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

Ephesians 4:29

 

DISCLAIMER: I’m just venting…

This is a phrase I found myself using often. I’m “just venting” about work, about my relationship, my friends, my family, etc. Thankfully, it was brought to my attention that this venting is going way beyond its “healthy level” of expressing feelings. It has turned to hurtful gossip. What a painful wake up call for the status of my heart.

Many of us find it cathartic to “vent” about all areas of our life to those who will listen. Some use more discretion about who their listening ear is than others, but having someone hear us out, hear about our frustrations, hurts, and other random information is usually very gratifying and healing. That is until it isn’t. Have you ever finished a conversation with someone and felt a sick gnawing in your stomach after you realize you may have said too much? At that point, and probably several steps before that point, it becomes harmful rather than helpful.

Though it may seem like common sense to many of you, coming to realize the truth of the statement, “I can only control what I do today,” brought me a lot of clarity and freedom. It may seem difficult to change a behavior when it has become your natural reaction to things over time, and even now as I reflect on my words from the last few months that I know have been hurtful, it seems like an uphill battle towards making amends, and taking steps towards growth in positive, edifying language. But we have a God who promises to do the work in us.

Wanting to look more like Christ in the wake of these last few months, I am thankful for the discipline and promises that come from God’s word:

“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 2:1-5

“…For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out…For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!…”

Romans 7:15-18; 22-25

I am so thankful that God works on our behalf and teaches us how to love each other. Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

To read more about Rachel, click here.