Crushing Fear – Day 17 – Gossip

Surround yourself with people who talk about visions and ideas, not other people.

— Unknown —

Thought

If you’ve followed my blog for any length of time, you’ve most likely seen the following quote–as it is one of my favorites: 

Small minds and people talk about other people.

Average minds and average people talk about events and things.

Great minds and people talk about ideas, concepts, dreams, and goals.*

The world is made up of way too many small minds.

A Not-So-Good Memory

Many years ago, I felt first-hand what it was like to be gossiped about.

It hurt.

In fact, in some ways, it still hurts today.

Being a pharmacist in a small town and going off to treatment for a drug addiction problem was fair game for the “small minds” in my community.

The gossip I endured was one of the many consequences I had to face because of my actions, but on the positive side, I learned to hate the act of gossiping.

Fact

Gossip is a form of judging usually generated from a less-than-healthy self-esteem born from the fear of insignificance and not being enough.

In essence, we build ourselves up by tearing other people down.

The devil loves for us to waste our time criticizing and gossiping about the behavior of others. But, unfortunately, when we are busy with this worthless activity, it gets in the way of the great things God wants us to do with our lives.

Proverbs 26:20 (NIV), “Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip, a quarrel dies down.”

Reflection:

What beliefs, thoughts, and actions cause you to struggle with gossip?

Additional Scripture to read and reflect on:  Ephesians 4:29, Proverbs 16:28, Luke 6:31

P.E.A.C.E.

Jay@EagleLaunch.com

*Paraphrased from an Eleanor Roosevelt quote.

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