Gossip

I have a question for everyone out there, and that is when is gossip not gossip?  The only time you can know what you are hearing is true, is when you hear it directly from the person themselves.  If you hear it from anyone else, technically it is gossip.  The only exception I know is if it is within your own family and you are hearing it from someone very close to the person that said it.  Even then I'm not sure it is not gossip. 

Gossip is something that none of us should ever take part in.  The person it is about or the people it is about are the ones that truly get hurt.  If someone starts to tell you something about someone and it is just here say, walk away, or say "Stop.  I don't want to hear it."  It's like walking up to a group and they are telling off color jokes, if you take part, you are sinning.  As Christians we need to take a more aggressive approach to people that spread gossip, dirty jokes or things they are not sure about, yet they are repeating it. 

If it is one of our brothers or sisters in Christ, we need to tell them that they are not acting right.  We should not spread stories or start rumors or repeat rumors.  We do more damage than you can ever imagine.  If you hear something about someone, as the person that has just stated it where they heard it from or walk away or go to the person it is about.  Sometimes it is just a misconstrued story or statement or maybe a remark that was made.  Gossip can do enough damage to a person that they may walk away from the church or something they truly enjoy. 

Another thing is this, if we are told something by someone we trust, and you are uncomfortable, ask them where they heard it or ask them if you can verify it with the person who made the statement.  It maybe that someone has been hurt by something you said or maybe they are trying to get back at you for something you did.  You may not even realize that you have hurt, or offended someone.  It is always better to go directly to the source of the remarks, statement or stories, then taking it at face value. 

We should be able to trust our sisters and brother in Christ and our friends and families, but there maybe those occasions when someone is mad at you or upset with you and may want revenge.  If that is the case, ask them to forgive you and you forgive them.  Your life will be much better in the long run.  Letting something that has been said continue to aggravate you or bother you, just festers and makes the situation even worse. 

God is full of grace, mercy, forgiveness and love and so should we.  We are to walk in the ways of the Lord, and try to be holy and Christ like.  Spreading gossip, unverified truths or stories is not walking in the way of the Lord.  Remember that they next time someone starts to share something with you.  May you be Blessed by the Grace of God.  To build your faith, you must be in the Word daily... constantly, without rest.  Love, L.

October 11, 2010 - Monday Evening

It has been awhile since I've posted anything and to be honest, I'm not sure exactly what to write about tonight.  I am dealing with some things that are threatening my joy, and I'm praying for God to rid me of the issues or things or whatever you want to call it.  I've had many negative thoughts in the last month, and I have lost some of the joy I had, but know that all this is in God's hands.  I've been neglecting writing in my journal  and have let people and things get between God and me.  Today is only the second time in a two week period that I have started and completed my journal entry in a single sitting. 

I feel that God is closing a door and about to open up a new one.  I'm ready for that!  I want my peace back and I don't feel it or have it completely right now.  It is sad when a single tiny thing can disrupt your whole being like it has done.  I know I need to let it go and let God.  I've written in my journal, prayed and handed it to Him, only to pick it up again.  Why you ask?  Because I'm put back in front of it constantly. 

I have had an issue with "Trust" for many years.  It comes back from things in my past and even though I'm much better than I was, I still have issues with trusting and if I'm betrayed, I can't give the person a 100% of my loyalty because of the betrayal.  That probably doesn't make sense.  Anyway, I am making an effort to attend my recovery meeting this week.  I'm still sober, nothing to drink, but a piece of the old me did show up in the last few weeks.  I don't want that person back.  I'm not that person, and it makes my heart hurt, that I have let an incident bring up those old feelings. 

I will continue to pray and ask for God's guidance and wisdom to get me through all of this.  My sponsor is helping and I need to learn to call her when I need to talk.  May you all have a God Filled Day and be Blessed by God's grace and mercy.  Love, L.