Through Netflix, I discovered a man named Steven Furtick who is preaching and leading Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina.  He is a passionate speaker and his podcasts are quite thought provoking.  Today, I heard him speak about guarding our hearts to live in the joy that comes from Christ.  He said, “What’s in your heart comes out your mouth and what comes out your mouth goes in your heart.”

This past weekend, my family went on vacation.  We traveled by airplane with our three small children.  The first day began very early, the lines were long, the luggage was heavy, the airports were crowded.  And by dinnertime we were all very tired and a little cranky.  As I stood next to the table bouncing my exhausted infant and tried to read the options on the fancy dinner menu over my husband’s shoulder, I felt a twinge of resentment and frustration well-up in my heart.  I thought to myself, “How can I enjoy this beautiful meal with these whiny kids?”

When disappointing things happen, we might immediately think depressed thoughts.  “That’s not fair.” “Why me?”  “This is not my fault.”  And saying those phrases out loud, solidify in our hearts our own victimization and sadness.  However, if we resist speaking these gut reactions and instead choose kind, humble words, our mood instantly improves.  “That’s okay.”  “We can work it out.” “God is going to show His glory through this.”  These phrases bolster our joy and faith.

“What goes into someone's mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth that is what defiles them." Matthew 15:11 (NIV)

We have to be so careful with our words, because they not only affect others, but Jesus says that our own words hurt ourselves!  Let’s not indulge in sharing everything that we feel.  Instead, let’s guard our mouths to speak only what is good.

That night, as we ate dinner, we chose to talk about the delicious food and the joy of being in a new place rather than focus on our fatigue.  And so we fell into bed that night with smiles on our faces!  Praise God!

Watch Steven Furtick's entire sermon on this topic. "Moodswingers: The Great Emoti Con"

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