September 18, 2022 – Ps 87. Pr 16, Isa 2

To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue. All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.
Proverbs 16:1‭-‬2 NIV

A couple of days ago during a time of stress at work I was testy with a coworker. Then yesterday when I had to relay a message he didn’t like he was testy with me. I asked him not to yell at me and was going to say that I did not make this decision. But he interrupted and commented on my reaction the day before. I immediately changed from my intended explanation to a defense of my actions that he commented on. Afterwards I thought about how poorly I handled that. This morning when I woke and said my morning prayer which includes. Guide my thoughts , words and actions that I may say or do something that will bring someone closer to You. But today I added help me to remember this prayer and be aware of the opportunities you give me to do so. Then immediately I thought about this coworker. I thought I need to apologize to him. I want people to see Christ in me and I was not very Christ like. He is also a Christian and I thought I would tell him all that. Then I wondered if he would be convicted of his words. So then my motivation began to change as I thought about what I should say. It became more about me. Then I started my bible reading and saw many verses that spoke to this situation in proverbs 16 starting with this verse.

First I confessed to God. Now I need to apologize to my coworker. And instead of allowing my own plans of the heart and motivations to influence what I say, I will trust the Lord to give me the proper answer of the tongue and ask Him to create inme a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Another great verse Ps 51:10)