Because this life isn't about me

Life is not about you. There. I said it. Life is about far more than that scratch on your car, that guy/girl that's being difficult, or that overtime you didn't get paid for. Life is about far more. In fact, if you step back (wayyy back) you'll see that the things that we get all hung up on don't mean much of anything at all. 

I don't know about you but this image makes me feel guilty about complaining that my clothes weren't in style anymore. Even more guilty about those times I had complained about being hungry and not liking the food my mother put in front of me. Guilty about saying that my life sucked and I wished for different; these children would do anything to have the life I seemed to hate so much. Should you feel guilty if you were born into a life that is so blessed? "Where I was born and where and how I have lived is unimportant. It is what I have done with where I have been that should be of interest.” ~ D.L. Moody "Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away." Matthew 5:42 
"Why in the world would I want to help them? It's not like they can do anything for me." "Because this life is not about me."

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 If you woke up tomorrow with only what you thanked God for yesterday, what would you have? 

My desire and sincere goal is to show how thankful I am for God's blessings by giving and loving everyone I meet, in every way I can, in every moment I am given. It can be difficult but I want to love not just my friends and those who can benefit me but everybody. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Matthew 5:43-47

Life or Fire?

With words God spoke this earth into existence. With words He filled the depths with water and peppered the sky with stars. Words I say in passing could come to replay in someone's mind giving them the motivation to persevere. But they could also replay in their head daunting them. This doesn't only apply to me; this applies to every man that has breath.

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue" Proverbs 18:21. With the words “Get up and walk” Christ healed a paralyzed man. With words I can give people the boost they need to keep going through the day, the determination to pursue a certain goal with vigor, and remind them they are loved. On the other hand, my words have the potential to destroy. Just as it takes only one spark to start a blazing inferno, it takes only one callous phrase to wound someone at the heart.

People also say that it doesn't matter what you say or do as long as your heart is right. This may be true however, only God sees your heart while men only see your actions and hear your words. “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

The tongue can start a fire of destruction. James 3:6, 8, "And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell... no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison." So, if our tongues are so destructive and cannot be tamed why bother at all? Because God is more powerful than our out-of-control mouths: “Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.” Psalm 141:3.

That said, out words are powerful but it is up to you whether you let them be heinously destructive or beautifully life giving. Colossians 4:6, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

In Him,

Tiffany Raye