Vent and drain
So I decided that I would not bring you grief with another painful visit. For if I cause you grief, who will make me glad? Certainly not someone I have grieved. 2 Corinthians 2:1-2
Have you ever had a friend that always comes to you when they need cheering up? Someone who’s life seems to be drowned in drama. Even though you wanted to help them and encourage them, by the time it was your turn to talk, you were depleted and depressed because of everything they unloaded. It wasn’t your friend’s intent to smother your encouraging words, but after they vented all their thoughts, you had nothing left to give. Their complaining and condition completely drained any words of wisdom you had for them.
It’s ironic that we use these words: vent and drain, but this is exactly what happens. A ventilation system is made to improve a drainage system. Ventilation supplies air into the fixtures to stir up and move substances through and out of the drain. It is the same way when you vent your thoughts and feelings, you are actually stirring up and moving others either to confusion or exhaustion. Encouragement and inspiration is diminished.
Evidently, this happened to the apostle Paul when he was at Corinth at an earlier time. He started the second chapter in 2 Corinthians by saying “I decided not to come for a visit because my words bring you all grief to the extent that I am not able to be encouraged because you are so sad.” It sounds like Paul poured out his heart in a letter to them or when he visited them last, but instead of his love causing them to rejoice, they were discouraged. It wasn’t because of Paul’s words; it was someone stirring up trouble and turning the intent of his words against him. He says they needed to confront and forgive this person to avoid falling into one of Satan’s traps.
This is how important words are. They can encourage, discourage or even stir up bitter and angry feelings. Words can heal broken relationships, or they can destroy close connections. The most important thing to realize is that you always have a choice on the words you speak. There is power in words and the very fact that you can choose which ones to use verifies just how powerful they are.
The solution? Consider, carefully select and convey in love. Paul said he wanted to let the people of Corinth know how much love he had for them. When you take time to consider the thoughts and feelings you are having, then identify who you are most concerned about in the situation, you can wisely select the word to express how you are dealing with a situation. Consider how you can help improve your surroundings by the words you speak about them. Then carefully select the words that will build others up and bring love and energy to the circumstances. Lastly, always make sure your conversation will insert love into the people involved and don’t ever try to stir others to one side or the other. Look for peace always.
Today I want to encourage you to take ahold of your own thoughts and feelings before you vent them onto others. Recognize the first onslaught of hurt thoughts and feelings and pull them down quickly. Don’t let the enemy stir you up until you just have to overflow onto those around you. Pray and submit all your feelings to your loving Heavenly Father and ask Him to help you to deal with what is going on. If there is a situation that needs to be addressed, carefully choose words that will bring peace and life into the issue. Don’t make it all about feelings and offenses. Instead, look for a way to make things better. Decide that you will communicate love every time you speak and that will defuse the enemy every time.
Today’s scripture reading: 2 Corinthians 2:1-11
1 But I determined this within myself, that I would not come again to you in sorrow.
2 For if I make you sorrowful, then who is he who makes me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me?
Forgive the Offender
3 And I wrote this very thing to you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow over those from whom I ought to have joy, having confidence in you all that my joy is the joy of you all.
4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you.
5 But if anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me, but all of you to some extent—not to be too severe.
6 This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man,
7 so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow. 8 Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him.
9 For to this end I also wrote, that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things.
10 Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ,
11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.
The Daily Dose 