Well, Monday morning I go under the knife. I don’t know how long it might be before I can write another WFTD, I’m told at least a month, but we will see. I have mixed emotions about it. On the one hand, I am happy to finally be addressing the problem and on the other, I do not look forward to the pain and rehab to get there. We all know that God allows pain in this life, but He also sends blessings which is the ultimate result of His purpose for those who love Him.
This pain/reward scenario reminds me of one time when I was living in the Florida Keys We were warned that a massive hurricane was coming directly toward us. Having been through a major hurricane previously and experiencing its devastation firsthand, I swore I would never “ride out” another one and just leave if one was headed our way. This time the weathermen gave us a bad forecast and instead of heading to the right, which was away from our home as all their computer models predicted, it inexplicably turned left which put it on a path directly towards our home. All we could do was prepare as best we knew how, hunker down, grit our teeth, and await its arrival.
Going through that storm was no fun, but we survived. Right after it passed I walked outside. and the sky was a beautiful deep blue color, and a gentle tropical breeze was lightly blowing in my face. It was as if the Lord had scrubbed the sky clean of everything and not even a cloud remained. There was plenty of devastation, but the nasty hurricane was gone and even the little birds were singing and welcoming the new day.
So, I received this letter the other day: I love words for the day and met you about ten years ago when you owned Honey Lake Plantation. I am struggling since my divorce and feel that I am under attack demonically. A big issue for me is when anger and hurt take over is cursing. I remember you writing about this and I’m wondering what you did to help/stop cursing. Any suggestions would be most helpful. This conviction has been with me a while now.
I have tried almost everything at one time or the other to reduce or stop cursing. The only way I have been able to reduce it is to hang around Christian friends that don’t engage in it. Enduring a divorce is like riding out a devastating hurricane and it sounds as though her hurt and anger have manifested in this sin. It is not one of those deadly sins mind you and is relatively minor compared to the blacker sins overtaking our nation and the world, but nonetheless, it is sin and sin robs us of our peace. Rest assured the Holy Spirit is engaged in the fight, but we need to do our part.
Another friend sent me a beautiful letter that although sent as encouragement to me and my dilemma seems to address her problem in a larger sense. He wrote:
As long as there is breath, God has something good for us. We are at the age where things are different for us. Different, but not bad. So much good is occurring everywhere. The Kingdom of darkness has an amazing, wicked, and effective media. We do not. We have the Holy Spirit God who spreads our God’s Word and draws humanity. Not as physically evident, but much more effective and certainly more powerful as well as more beneficial for humanity. Look for the next assignment. You have been faithful, and God recognizes and honors that. You have blessed many. May our God’s richest blessings continue to be yours. Blessings Friend . . .
I don’t know the details but assume this lady’s divorce was not amicable. Whatever! That was then and this is now. She has survived the brunt of the hurricane and is alive and vibrant. The rotten past is a chapter that has already been written and she has made it to the other side of the worst of it and is starting a new chapter. I say enjoy the ride.
She should be taking my friend’s advice and looking for the next assignment which has something good in it for her. I realize this does not directly tell her how to stop cursing. She can snap her arm with a rubber band, fine herself for every cussword, see a hypnotist, etc. but none of that solves the root cause of her sin. She needs to draw near to God in deep prayer. She needs friends who love the Lord and would be appalled by hearing a curse word come out of her mouth. It can serve as a geo-fence for her.
I need my own advice on this one because it remains one of my biggest obstacles to leading a life that will not disappoint my Lord. There are times when my own mama wouldn’t kiss my nasty mouth like when a wrench slips and I bang my knuckles. If my pastor was standing there I probably would not utter a word and just suck it up, but if one of my less reverent buddies observed it I would let it fly. It is just like an addict that wants to get off drugs and stay off them. I have told more than one if you want to get off drugs, then don’t hang around with thugs.
Of course. the best way to accomplish anything remains between God and us. Phil. 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Pray and ask righteous people to pray for you. There are many prayer groups throughout the nation and in most any church.
James 5:16
“The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working . . .”
Have a great weekend and go to church this Sunday!