TOOL OR BULLDOZER?

 

We all have suffered them--those verbal bombshells meant to put us in our place.  I have had a series of  these surprise attacks, sneak attacks, and out right well placed-well planned--I knew it was coming attacks.  Our words can be perhaps one of the most powerful weapons in our arsenal.  This past week I have been left reeling between hurt and all out--I'm going to get you anger after a few well placed bombshells.  I do not like being placed in this position by another.  We have all been there.  The question becomes when we say "Been There~Done That", what did we do?  Suffer in silence, full our frontal attack, or take the adult road and question the attacker as to the "Why?".  I must admit my first response is never the adult response.  My inner child either runs and hides in pain or mounts a full on verbal counter attack.  NOT how I want to respond.

I recently read a Joyce Meyer quote which brings it all home ~

"Every word we speak can either be a brick to build or a bulldozer to destroy."

There you go--you have a choice you can be a builder or a demolisher.  You are the one in charge of what words you choose or how you use them in response to a verbal attack.  I desire to be known as a builder, but my feet of clay want to drive the bulldozer.  In most cases the bulldozer remains hidden in the shed, until you have hurt me.  My startled response usually includes cranking the bulldozer.  The problem comes when I put it in gear and proceed to tear you down. 

 Lord, please help me to keep the bulldozer in the shed and instead put on the "Tool Belt" you have supplied me with.  Help me to remember those hurtful words directed toward me always come from a crater of pain left in the heart of the attacker.  Give me the patience exemplified by Jesus when confronted with verbal attacks.  Give me the wisdom of a kind response.  Help me, Lord, to be the builder you created us all to be.  

"Bear with each other and forgive one another

if any of you has a grievance against someone.

Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

Colossians 3:13