Let me start with a confession. God has been telling me “think before you speak” my entire life! It all started in elementary school. Every report card read, “Linda talks too much in class.” Honestly, I resented that all my teachers had the same thing to say about me.
In all sincerity, I know I still talk too much even at 39. I cannot help myself, sometimes I get so passionate about what is in my heart that my brain checks out and my mouth runs the show.
I remember a pastor once said, “Your heart could be right, but your mind can be wrong.” And ever since hearing that revelation God has given me way too many opportunities to live that out in my daily life. As a result I’ve created the perfect recipe for Humble Pie!
All it takes is a heart for Jesus and sprinkle it with a little self-righteousness and voilà, you have Humble Pie my friend.
So what do you do when get that sick humbling reality check after you’ve totally messed up?
Do you shrink? Do you beat yourself up with shame? Do you resent or blame others for your slip-ups? Or do you reach for the truth? God’s honest truth.
Most of the time I do everything BUT search for the truth. I really don’t know why, but I’m naturally more comfortable with resisting the truth.
Psalm 139:4&5 (CEB) reads, “There isn’t a word on my tongue, Lord, that you don’t already know completely. You surround me –– front and back. You put your hand on me.”
When I read this scripture I couldn’t help but shout THANK YOU JESUS! No matter what I say, no matter what!?!, God already knows it. He knows exactly where my heart is and the best part of it all is His hand of blessing is on me no matter what stupid words end up coming out of my mouth. I don’t know about you, but this scripture shifted my thinking from self-condemnation to possibly self-affirmation.
I would love to hear any of your personal humble pie stories or recipes! Leave a comment below.
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(Revised post from 1/28/12)
Oh my goodness, Linda! How you touch my heart every time I read your blog. Yes, I know that I have a problem of speaking first before thinking. And, yes, I am working on that area of my life. I do believe that with God’s help, I am doing better with “thinking before speaking”. Our words can affect people in so many ways. It’s just a matter of taking a breath before speaking, and that really helps me. Hugs to you! Thanks again for your ministry, As I have mentioned before, your blog is the first one I read every Thursday. 🙂
Melissa, I cannot believe you read my blog 1st each week….you made me {blush} 🙂 Thank you! I’m glad to hear I’m not alone in this speaking before thinking thing…LOL Make sure if you haven’t to subscribe to my blog so you can receive my Tuesday Inspirational Coaching Minute Video. ((hugs))
Thanks, Linda, I do subscribe to your blog and enjoy it every week. You are so special! Hugs to you, too. 🙂
I can sympathize with you also Linda, as I have often found myself saying, “why did I say that” I am an open book. I feel I have nothing to hide and when I talk to people, I just tell them all. Well, sometimes they use it against you/me and so one bad habit I also need to fix, is slowing down, and taking that breath before I speak, even when I’m excited about something. My heart and head are proactive in life, but my mouth is definitely REactive and part of my construction zone! I LOVE your inspirational messages. Blessings to you.
Kathy thank you for hanging out on my blog each week! I love having you here. I’m a really open person too but I’m learning to make sure I only process really personal stuff with those who I have a deep trust with. But I still slip-up from time to time and share to much of myself with others.
It is so comforting to know that God knows what I am going to say or do and loves me no matter how many times I stick my size 7 1/2 foot in my mouth. It’s comforting to know HE loves me no matter what. It’s humbling, though, when I have to go to those my words have fallen upon and tell them I’m sorry. Not that I have said hurtful words but sorry because sometimes I have trouble translating what’s in my heart to the gentle spirit words that I would like to come out of my mouth but end up saying them without enough thought. Not sure if I am articulating exactly what I’m trying to say but God knows and that’s what matters 🙂 Thank you for sharing Linda!
Nancy Silvers (OBS Small Group Leader)
Humble Pie… what a simple and easy recipe to follow! But hard for some to do. Thank you so much for sharing Linda. You always put it all in such beautiful words to go by… Love, Cindy OBS Small Group Leader
Thank you Cindy! You gave me a virtual ((hug)). 🙂
Linda, Humble Pie is probably the sweetest dessert we will ever taste after speaking a mouthful of bitter herbs or one too many tasteless comments! Love your thoughts and believe He is a forgiving Father! Humbling experiences bring us to Him and remind us to seek His counsel! God bless!
Off the top of my head I can’t think of a humble pie story but I did have to comment and say this verse has been placed in front of me many, many times this week. I’m trying to be still and listen to what the Lord is trying to tell me. I know He has me wrapped up like a “God sandwich” as Melissa calls it, but I believe it’s more to it than that. I tend to think of this verse when I’m scared of something and at the moment I’m not really scared. I’m anxious over a couple things so maybe He is telling me to let it go. Be still and listen.
I think you got it Cristy! He’s surrounding you and protecting you. Can you feel His peace and comfort?
Love having you here on my blog! Thanks 🙂