Elohim November 2015 | Page 15

wall, think about what those individuals really need during this time, probably not your messy mouth spreading their business, and ask the Lord to meet them where they are and supply their needs. 3.Think of a time when you were experiencing a difficult time, or participated in some unwarranted foolishness that graciously went unmentioned (and we’ve all done something trifling) and think about how you would feel if people where talking about you and putting their own spin on the skeletons in your closet. 4.Pray for healing; there is a saying that “hurt people hurt people” meaning that maybe you have been a victim of gossip at some point in your life and you feel that you have a right to speak in such a manner about others, especially if they have done the same to you. However, rather than do that, we should go to our Heavenly Father, ask that He would heal the wounds and scars in our hearts and lead us to loving others, not tearing them down with ugly rumors and lies. 5.If you have friends that gossip, refuse to participate, or consider carefully evaluating whether or not you should be keeping company with such people. Without condemning or judging, really think about how healthy such friendships are. If you really want to help them, you could have a conversation and discuss how harmful gossip is. Not sure what to say? Pray and ask the Holy Spirit for gentle words, that you may minister to them and strengthen the bonds of your friendship. If they get offended and cut you off? Well, we just have to love and elevate people in prayer from a distance sometimes. We are supposed to be women on the move, pursing Godly ambitions and being a beacon of light in our Father’s image. The last time I checked, nowhere in the Proverbs 31 description did I read “She stirs up gossip and dissention in the town square; she shares the company of slanderers.” No ma’am that is NOT the woman you want to be. As you are reading this article, if you feel in your heart that you have a problem with gossip and you want to stop. Take a minute to say this prayer.` Dear Heavenly Father, As a child of the Most High it is my desire to be an example of love and compassion towards my fellow sisters and brothers in Christ. Please give me the grace to use my words to spread love amongst people and not lies and rumors. When I hear gossip, please give me the strength to turn in the other direction and not participate in that which would serve to ruin relationships, help me to be a glue that binds people together and not tear people down. Help me to be someone that people can trust and confide in, fully confident that I can maintain the integrity of my word and that I may know that as a woman of God, gossip has no place on my lips or in my relationships. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen Page 15