Manna in the Morning

There was a woman who went to see her doctor with a whole list of complaints. The doctor could find no physical ailment. He suspected the woman’s negative outlook on life was the real problem. He rose from his desk and pointed to a shelf that was filled with bottles. He said, “Look at these bottles. All of them are empty. I can take one of them and fill it with poison, enough poison to kill a human being. Or, I can take that same bottle and fill it with medicine, enough medicine to cure a headache or bring down a fever or kill bacteria. The important thing is that I make the choice. I can fill each bottle with something hurtful or something helpful. The doctor looked her straight in the eye and said, “Each day that God gives us is like one of those empty bottles. We can choose to fill it with positive thoughts that lift us and others; or, we can fill it with negative thoughts that depress us and everyone else. The choice is ours.” The Apostle Paul said it like this, “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” (Eph. 4:29)

By now some people would be hard-pressed to remember many, if any, of the New Year’s resolutions they made just a couple of days ago. Yet, I think it is important for us to make resolutions not just on New Year’s day but whenever we realize that there are changes that need to be made. The Bible challenges us constantly about things we need to consider about life and how we live it. There are things we need to have resolve about and be very serious in that resolve. One such matter is discussed by the Apostle Paul in Eph. 4:29. There he writes, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up.” What a great challenge. We live in a society that seems to make it easy to be critical and to bring others down. But God’s Word clearly encourages us to edify one another...to build one another up and to encourage one another. Today, why not intentionally seek out someone you know who needs some encouragement and do your part in lifting their spirits.