The More I Thought About It, The Hotter I Got! Psalm 39: 1-4

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Psalms 39 through Psalms 41; Psalms 53, 55, 58

Do you talk to yourself?

If you said, “yes” you’re in good company.

King David did as well:

I said to myself, “I will watch what I do
and not sin in what I say.
I will hold my tongue
when the ungodly are around me.”
But as I stood there in silence—
not even speaking of good things—
the turmoil within me grew worse.
The more I thought about it,
the hotter I got,
igniting a fire of words:
“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered—
how fleeting my life is.    —Psalm 39: 1-4

Friends, this is amazing to me, approximately three thousand years ago, “the man after God’s heart” struggled with holding his tongue, struggled with turmoil within and struggled with thinking, chewing, and dwelling on something so long that it ignited a fire of words.

This is very comforting to me.

I know– misery loves company…

I want to please the Lord, but I’m just so…ugh…human!

I do pretty well with the average people on the street, business associates, friends and acquaintances.  It’s the people I LOVE the most that get the worst of my tongue.  No, I’m not talking profanity; I’m talking about my opinion…

I can’t seem to NOT give it!

I’m trying to teach, train, help, and fix my family. My motive is love, but I’m sure it doesn’t always sound or feel like love!!!

I will say that I’ve gotten better over the years, but it is still a struggle for me.  The tongue has been one area the Holy Spirit has worked on me throughout my life.  I remember when I was a young mom, sitting in the nursery and “chatting” with other moms.  I would go home and feel convicted over gossiping.

At the young age of 22 the Lord pointed me to Philippians 4:8…

 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.        

I literally began asking myself after a phone or in-person conversation:

Was that true, was it honorable, right and pure, lovely, and admirable?

Most times I would have to repent, but I slowly began to learn what I was supposed to think and talk about.  Believe me I’m not perfect, but I’m a whole lot better than I used to be.

After reading verse 4 of David’s prayer I think I have a new question to ask when I’m tempted to try to fix my family.

Does this thing that bugs me have anything to do with eternity?”

If the answer is “No” with the help of the Lord I’m going to let it go!

I join King David in this prayer:

Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.

Remind me that my days are numbered— 

how fleeting my life is.

In Jesus Name Amen!

©2012, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Psalms 61 through Psalms 62; Psalms 64 through 67