Hypocrite?

READY8 “Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye.” ~ Matthew 7:5 NLT

AIM8 Is it just me, or does it seem like everyone is quick to criticize others and slow to compliment them? Life can be pretty depressing if we really sit down and look at everything we, as humans, are faced with on a day to day basis. Most folks struggle to find the right balance between going to church, working hard at their job, spending time with their family, volunteering for organizations, finding time for themselves and the countless other things that pull them in a thousand directions. Sadly, even when life appears to be in order, someone always comes along and points out our faults, inadequacies and failures. Why is that? No one is perfect. However, for some people, it’s so much easier to criticize the behaviors and actions of someone else rather than to speak words of praise over her. Does it really make you feel better about yourself to point out another’s flaws? If you are being honest, I hardly believe so.

Can you imagine what our world would look and feel like if people were kind to each other and spoke words of love and praise about each other? Who really cares if a little item was overlooked or forgotten? Did that person make a positive difference with her endeavors? Then have the courage to tell her! Simple words of encouragement are what turns around sour attitudes and changes negative behaviors. The smiles of acceptance and hugs of support will lift people up and carry them forward.

Friends, have you been criticizing in places where you should be praising others? Perhaps, we should first examine our own lives and actions to be sure our motives are genuine and our actions pure, before we speak out of turn. In these trying times, when it may feel like our very nation is crumbling around us, we need to spend more time building each other up, not tearing each other down.

FIRE!8 The next time you feel the urge to complain about someone or how she is performing an action, bite your tongue. Just pause, think about what you were going to say, and find something positive to compliment instead of making a critical remark.


Be Excellent!
Lori