Been there? I certainly have.
posted on August 25th, 2010 / by Tirzah Warwick / 11 CommentsIt’s not pretty and I’m the first to admit it. I am certainly not proud of the fact, that’s for sure. Really, I would like to leave you all thinking that I’m loving and kind and next to perfect all the time and that I’ve never hurt someone else but that wouldn’t be the truth. You see, there have been times in my life when I have not minded my own business. I have gossiped, I have misunderstood people, and made unfair judgments against them when I have not walked in their shoes. As a result, I have reaped the consequences in various ways and I have felt the guilt and shame of seeing people hurt, peace disturbed, and my Christian walk tarnished because of my meddling tongue, pride, and from a lack of genuine Christ-like love for others.
One day I was feeling very upset because of my meddling tongue and the trouble it had got me in. I had honestly had enough of it! My heart was crying from shame and begging for redemption and healing in a situation that I had made worse. I sought God and dived into the Bible. I came across 1 Thessalonians 4:11 which says “Make it your ambition and definitely endeavor to live quietly and peacefully, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we charged you”.
I had read it before but this time it hit me like a ton of bricks and in a new way. This was exactly what I wanted for my life. I took hold of this Scripture and immediately put it into practice. I humbled myself before God and my heart cried out to Him for His help. He answered, meeting me with His enabling grace and transforming this ugly area in my life. During this process a genuine love and compassion for others started to take deep root in my heart and a fire was ignited to love others as if my life depended on it and to speak only God’s words of life and love, grace and mercy over them. I wanted no part of anything else. I still don’t and thank God for that! What a relief!
And for me personally, living out 1 Thessalonians 4:11 has become an easy and practical way for me to live my life, continuing to learn to love others more each day while being free from the chains of meddling and gossip.
I thank God that He still loves me when I mess up. I thank Him that I still have the gift of righteousness and that if I die tomorrow then I’m still going to heaven. I thank Him that He meets me with mercy & enabling grace, when I bow my heart in humility and repent of my failures and doing things my own way, independent of Him. I thank Him for the liberty He gives when He breaks the chains of burden that are attached to sin. I thank Him for the power He has to transform lives, turning ashes into beauty.
So good and so true Tirzah! We can't just will ourselves to do the right thing, but we can stand on His word and believe for His grace to do the work in us. Love it. Love you!
Thanks Tirzah for opening your heart and sharing a piece of what God is doing and has done in your life. Lately, God is really speaking to me about turning ashes into beauty. Thanks for your words.
Ooooooh that was good stuff!!! What a great word from God! I love how His word really does have the answers to all of life's issues. Thanks for opening your heart to us!
Tirzah, I love the purity in your writing–the honesty of your struggle followed by how God is working in you. I just know that someday we will meet.
Tirzah, you are one THE most Beautiful people God has given me the priviledge to have allowed our paths to cross and become friends….Be Blessed my friend! I Love you and your wonderful family…
Thank you so much for sharing this Tirzah. God is doing this in my life too. I need to watch my tongue and I need more love. I need to learn what I can do to help and learn to let go of some situations in my life and just give them to God.
My wife directed me here. You two should definitely hang out:) She could use a friend like you and glean some of the wisdom your walk has imparted to you. Bless you!
Tirz, you mentioned that scripture several months ago when we were hanging out, and it has stuck with me. I'm with you in this, and I think it's great that you can be honest and share where you're at. Yet you also know where you want to go. I always appreciate your blogs.
Thank you all for your kindness in showing support and commenting!
Tirzah- I just love your and how your not satisfied with just being a Christian, but you are desiring to be more Christlike. I know God see's your heart and will show Himself faithful in this area. Thank you for being an example of godliness by being real
Thank you for your honesty. I am also one that struggles with things I say and judgments I make. In face, it's almost daily that I have to lay it (my tongue and thoughts) before the Lord. I hate that I struggle with it!!! Thank you for sharing that verse. I am going to put it in a place where I read it daily until it's memorized.