A good handyman can fix plenty of things that are broken, but some are nearly irreparable:
"The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, But as for a broken spirit who can bear it?" (Proverbs 18:14)
I've witnessed remarkable attitudes by those suffering prolonged and difficult physical illnesses and observed that they fared better than those with a less positive outlook. But, as the writer of Proverbs says, those with broken attitudes and spirits are almost too broken to mend. When the battle for the mind is lost there is very little recourse.
Perhaps the saying is true that life is ten percent what happens to us and ninety percent how we respond to it. Attitude is by far the greatest factor in how we get along in life. Those with an optimistic attitude and mindset of faith can overcome incredible obstacles.
Attitudes are formed by what we tell ourselves and what we receive from the words of others. We are what we tell ourselves and what we allow others to tell us about ourselves. And for this reason it's important to consider the truth of another Proverb in chapter eighteen:
Death and life are in the power of the tongue." (Proverbs 18:21)
I well remember a life-changing conversation. Someone casually remarked that I could do almost anything, and I asked for clarification. The response was in reference to qualities observed about my life that formed the basis for that statement. Someone saw potential that I had never seen in myself before, and it opened my eyes to possibilities as to what God could do in and through me that I might not have seen otherwise. These words were literally life to me.
A man named Barnabas is mentioned in the Book of Acts, whose name literally means, "son of encouragement". We read in Acts 11:
"they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord. And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch." (Acts 11:22:26)
This "son of encouragement" commended these believers for their faithfulness as he witnessed the grace of God and encouraged them to "stay the course". His encouragement was instrumental in the conversion of a large number of people, and also in the life of someone he sought out - Saul of Tarsus. Without his encouragement we might not have two-thirds of the New Testament that came through the pen of the Apostle Paul!
Encouraging words have the power to bring life to the broken spirits of others. A simple loving reminder that this life is worth living in preparation for the coming Kingdom and that the coming Kingdom will bring a permanent solution to all problems may literally bring life to someone who is broken today.
You have the power of life and death in your words. Chose to bring life to your family, friends, coworkers, and church family today. Be a Barnabas!
Steve
"The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, But as for a broken spirit who can bear it?" (Proverbs 18:14)
I've witnessed remarkable attitudes by those suffering prolonged and difficult physical illnesses and observed that they fared better than those with a less positive outlook. But, as the writer of Proverbs says, those with broken attitudes and spirits are almost too broken to mend. When the battle for the mind is lost there is very little recourse.
Perhaps the saying is true that life is ten percent what happens to us and ninety percent how we respond to it. Attitude is by far the greatest factor in how we get along in life. Those with an optimistic attitude and mindset of faith can overcome incredible obstacles.
Attitudes are formed by what we tell ourselves and what we receive from the words of others. We are what we tell ourselves and what we allow others to tell us about ourselves. And for this reason it's important to consider the truth of another Proverb in chapter eighteen:
Death and life are in the power of the tongue." (Proverbs 18:21)
I well remember a life-changing conversation. Someone casually remarked that I could do almost anything, and I asked for clarification. The response was in reference to qualities observed about my life that formed the basis for that statement. Someone saw potential that I had never seen in myself before, and it opened my eyes to possibilities as to what God could do in and through me that I might not have seen otherwise. These words were literally life to me.
A man named Barnabas is mentioned in the Book of Acts, whose name literally means, "son of encouragement". We read in Acts 11:
"they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord. And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch." (Acts 11:22:26)
This "son of encouragement" commended these believers for their faithfulness as he witnessed the grace of God and encouraged them to "stay the course". His encouragement was instrumental in the conversion of a large number of people, and also in the life of someone he sought out - Saul of Tarsus. Without his encouragement we might not have two-thirds of the New Testament that came through the pen of the Apostle Paul!
Encouraging words have the power to bring life to the broken spirits of others. A simple loving reminder that this life is worth living in preparation for the coming Kingdom and that the coming Kingdom will bring a permanent solution to all problems may literally bring life to someone who is broken today.
You have the power of life and death in your words. Chose to bring life to your family, friends, coworkers, and church family today. Be a Barnabas!
Steve
posted by steve @ 7:36 AM
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