A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
Luke 6:45 NIV
At different times in my life, I have asked myself what is my heart full of? If someone speaks words about me that do not please me, if someone offends me, if I hear phrases against me that I would not want to hear, what is my reaction? Perhaps anger, resentment, hurt, fear?
Is that what is in my heart?
Reflecting on this, I have realized that what I manifest, or what my heart feels, only depends on me. I can choose my reaction. It is up to me to change what hurts, disconcerts, or irritates me.
How I love these words of Ellen G. White:
“We are forming characters for heaven. No character can be complete without trial and suffering. We must be tested, we must be tried. Christ bore the test, of character, in our behalf that we might bear this test in our own behalf through the divine strength He has brought to us. Christ is our example in patience, in forbearance, in meekness and lowliness of mind. He was at variance and at war with the whole ungodly world, yet He did not give way to passion and violence, manifested in words and actions, although receiving shameful abuse in return for good works. He was afflicted, He was rejected and despitefully treated, yet He retaliated not: He possessed self-control, dignity, and majesty. He suffered with calmness and for abuse gave only compassion, pity, and love.” Letter 51 a, 1874
“He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth” Isaiah 53:7 NIV
Today I invite you to reflect on these texts. If our minds and hearts are connected with Him, surely what comes from our mouths will be only kind and respectful.