PAUSE BUTTON...

"Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark."
James 3:5 (NIV)

"...Several years ago I made a very small, but very life-changing decision. When a hurtful thought comes into my head, I tighten my lips and force a pause button to appear in my brain. When I allow myself to have just a second to think about the potential hazard that could come from 'speaking my mind' it gives the Holy Spirit time to check my heart and motives. In that pause moment I say, "Lord, take control of this tongue." And He does.

Dear Lord, thank You for reminding us that our tongue can rip a heart apart, or seal it back together. Teach us to pause long enough to give Your Spirit time to work in and through us. In Jesus' Name, Amen." Luann Prater

I didn't copy all of her devotion but took the part out that I wanted to remember. I always try to keep things about the tongue on my blog. My tongue has got me into more trouble than I care to remember. I am getting better, listening more - but God is NOT THROUGH with me yet on this. Holy Spirit has "saved" me a few times just this past week when I talked to my boss - OR should I say NOT talk to him. Also with Jerry - but unfortunately some of the words "spilled" out with Jerry - ouch! He knows I am still a work in progress so he gave me some slack - but I sure was convicted.

Speaking of pause button there is a book out there somewhere about pausing before you put something in your mouth. I mean food. For example, let's say there are cookies at your work or wherever for everyone to "eat". You just ate a big meal though, and you really don't have that many calories left for the day. Well, if YOU PAUSE before you grab that cookie and gobble it up - you will think twice about it - and remember what you just ate and what exercise it will take to burn it off. Ask yourself "is it really worth it?" I have tried that a lot this past week - it helped! That sweet temptation is the hardest though....but I KNOW that a "moment pleasure on the lips - is a lifetime on the hips" - but in my case THE GUT!