Saturday, June 7, 2014

By: Rachelle Hitt Bilbo

All the Voices!

Proverbs 18:21 The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.

Yesterday, I had the privilege of wedding dress shopping with a wonderful friend for her wedding! She found her "perfect" dress within an hour. She continued to try things on because it just seemed too unreal to have found something so perfect so fast.

I think what helped the process was that she was surrounded by women who love her, know her style and wanted what is best for her!

All of the feedback was very supportive. One of the employees at the wedding shop said that the process is usually not that simple. She admitted that some people (friends and family) could be very opinionated causing the bride to become overwhelmed and defeated. With so many voices, the bride consequently has a difficult time deciding what is just right for her.

I believe that counsel from our closest family and friends is vital to our development as believers. However, it is important to access whether these "voices" we are listening to are helping us discover what is truly "suited" for us or if the voices are inflicting their mere "opinion" rather than inspiration.

Sadly, there are even people alive today that are still negatively controlled over words spoken by people who are dead and gone.

My challenge today is twofold: 1) Consider if the words you speak to others inspire them to be everything God has called them to be. 2) Consider if you have chosen to believe and be dictated by the negative words spoken to you or if you have chosen to muffle out the negativity and tune in to the still voice of God and those Godly people He has placed in your life... the voices full of promises and hope for your life! The voices you choose to listen to will determine your future.

Dear Lord, Help me to always hear Your voice and to believe everything You have promised me! Deafen my ears to any lies that may discourage me from reaching my fullest potential.

Thank you my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grace so that I can have eternal life!

Reflection: Which opinions matter the most to me? Are these opinions helping me grow as a believer?