EDITOR ’ S NOTE
“ If you don ’ t have anything nice to say , don ’ t say anything at all .” The words of my Mom and Grandma have played in my head for the last several months . I have not had anything “ nice ” to say . I have allowed the enemy to steal my joy , strength , and peace . I allowed him to take my voice of speaking life and encouragement to myself and to others . Fear took a good hold on me , and the enemy played into that . I didn ’ t have anything nice to say .
It is easy to focus on the negative and the stress ; it ’ s easy to get stuck in the mire . I ’ ve been there . Even in the midst of heartache , sickness , loss , God is there . We may not feel it , but even when we ’ re stuck , and we can ’ t say anything nice , God is there with us . “ So be strong and courageous ! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them . For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you . He will neither fail you nor abandon you ” ( Deuteronomy 31:6 , NLT ).
I do have something nice to say now . Our hope is in Jesus . Not in the circumstances , not in people , not in this world … IN JESUS . Even in a year that was filled with loss and heartache for our family , my hope is in Jesus . Even in a year that was filled with confusion , sickness , and stress , my hope is in Jesus . I can ’ t continue to wallow in the mire and allow the enemy to steal , kill , and destroy . I have to have hope !
“ But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength . They will soar on wings like eagles ; they will run and not grow weary , they will walk and not be faint ” ( Isaiah 40:31 , NIV ).
I ’ m reminded of another lesson my Mom taught me . Show me your friends , and I ’ ll show you your future . We need each other . We need Godly friends to support , encourage , and hold us accountable . So if you can ’ t pull yourself out of the mire , if you get to the place where you can ’ t say anything nice , call a friend . Not a friend who will sit in the muck and be down and out with you . No , a friend who will help pull you out of the mess . A friend who pushes you to be and do better . A friend who has nice things to say , one who will speak life into you and your situation .
I challenge you today to think about where you ’ re at in life . Are you able to say anything nice ? Are you sitting in the messes of your situation and wallowing ? Call that friend who knows how to pray and encourage . Ask them to pray that God will pull you close and show you He ’ s never left you . Ask God to help you . Even if you don ’ t know the words to say , just ask Him for help . He ’ ll show up ! Then you too will have something nice to say again .
“ May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you , O Lord , my rock and my redeemer ” ( Psalm 19:14 , NLT ).
Misty Bradley
HeartBeat Editor
03⎪MARCH 2022⎪www . cmausa . org