Psalm 141:3 Power
“Wendy is very social.”
This was a comment on my report card when I was in early elementary school. Indirect and somewhat kind.
“Wendy talks too much.”
This was a comment on my report card when I was in upper elementary school. No mincing words. Direct and straight to the point.
My mouth has always gotten in way. I recently saw this post on Facebook and said, “Yep. That’s me.”
Can I get a witness?
I discovered a verse several years ago that a helped me enjoy relief rather than live in regret in regards to my mouth.
Psalms 141:3
“Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.”
I used to think unless I got the finally word or didn’t get to express my thoughts I lost power in the situation. Just the opposite is true. I receive power when I yield to this truth. Psalm 141:3 has saved me in the moment from crushing spirits, hurting feelings, and fueling feuds.
Why don’t you try it? Dare to set a guard at your lips and feel the power!!
Live with relief not regret.
I can relate, I let my mouth go on over load at times. So many times I say hurtful things to get back at someone just to regret them after the fact. I am going to memorize this verse and use it when my mouth heads to over load.
Oh. It’s such a great verse!
Amen and amen! There’s power in that silence for us girls that can so easily spill words all over.
I love the phrase “spill words!”
I had this verse on my desk at my old job. I had such a hard time holding my tongue – it was a good reminder ?
I can so relate! For most of my life I felt it necessary that whomever I was upset with needed to know it & needed to know why. I have since realized that in my “insisting on being heard” moments, I did a lot of damage. Not only to their feelings but also any chances of reconciling our differences. People no longer wanted to deal with me because I was so quick to express myself. Since then God has shown me I was acting out of pain myself. “Hurting people hurt people.” He also showed me it’s NOT all about me, & how I feel. Lessons learned & I pray I’m getting better at keeping my mouth shut each day.
I use” Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. Psalms 19:14, as my signature in all my e-mails. Both of these texts should be foremost in our minds, when dealing with others.
My mouth sometimes feels disconnected from me. It takes off talking without my conscious permission. It is like I am hearing it for the first time the same as everybody else, I need to pray this verse a lot. ?
This verse is “new to me” and I like it. I,too, have felt the need to speak up and share whatever I was thinking. If I didn’t, I thought I wouldn’t matter. I wanted to be recognized and validated. I like the idea that silence, used wisely, can be powerful too. Thanks for a powerful new insight .
I definitely need to think before I speak. There’s been friction lately between me and my Mom. I’m trying to get used to the fact that are roles are switching as she becomes older and I need to handle it better and speak without becoming defensive. Thanks for your words Wendy.
Love this reminder. I recently read Karen Ehman’s book “Keep It Shut.” So powerful. In fact, one I should read every year. Thanks for your heart Wendy and your desire to help us ladies stay in sync with God.