James knew what he was talking about.
He didn’t mince words about the words that emerge from our mouths. We – and by that, I mean I – really should read through his third chapter more often.
Regarding the tongue, he said that even though it’s small, it can create a great fire, that it’s a world of evil among parts of the body. “It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire and is itself set on fire by hell.”
Strong language. I wish I had read through that passage a few days ago.
Recently my tongue got the better of me. Not that that’s the first time such a thing has happened. This time, it just happened in a different way than most of my other lapses in this area, and it was in front of a group of people whom I love dearly. I would never want to make them feel bad in any way, but I did.
I’ve always been in awe of people who seem to stay calm all the time, who are always soft-spoken, who never (that I have seen) put their foot royally in their mouth. That is soooo not me.
And before we go further, let me just say that my slipup didn’t involve cursing. It didn’t involve red-faced anger. It didn’t involve an argument. It just arose from what I guess you could say was irritation and desperation that had reached the overflow point. I got overwhelmed, and it definitely showed.
Looking back, I’m contemplating numerous things concerning this incident. Surely, something like this could have been dealt with before it became a real problem. So, what – apart from reading James on a daily basis – could have been done to alleviate the situation? Maybe if I ponder hard enough, it could be of help to us all.
The first thought: Be on guard. Keep James’ words in mind because, like the bit in the mouth of a horse or a rudder that’s steering a ship, our tongues – our words – can drive our very lives. To use another Bible analogy from I Peter 5, remember the devil, that roaring lion who’s prowling about, seeking whom he may devour. Know that he’s always at the ready to take our words and create havoc with them.
Other admonitions in that passage about the devil include “be alert” and “resist him.” Thankfully, for believers, there’s an assurance there, too – “Christ … will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
Post-event, I’m also thinking that as weeks were passing, I could have consulted with others on a deeper level to try to get the situation resolved. I did make an effort to do that, but it obviously wasn’t enough. Sometimes, it seems, things need to be really discussed rather than taking the indirect approach.
I’m also now realizing that, on that particular day, when I saw that the state of affairs in my own mind was intensifying, I could have removed myself from the setting. I could have graciously departed for a while until I composed myself again. With hindsight, that seems so simple. Note to self: Be like Joseph in the Old Testament. Just get outta there.
With me, the specter of low blood sugar always looms as well. I have a slight case of hypoglycemia, and when my blood sugar dips, nervousness ensues and irritation levels rise. That day, I thought I had taken care to address this issue, but in retrospect, I wonder.
And there’s at least one more thing to consider – perhaps the biggest consideration of all. During all those days leading up to the event, I can’t remember praying about it even once. That certainly doesn’t fulfill Paul’s admonishment to “pray without ceasing.” Big note to self, in capital letters.
So here I am. Here we are. Hopefully, as my associates and I move through the coming days – after my apology – we can all get over it, move forward and possibly even draw closer together. This has happened in my past, and I pray that it happens this time, too.
Until then, I will remember the verse that my Bible study leader pointed me to. Romans 8:1 – “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Sallie Rose Hollis lives in Ruston and retired from Louisiana Tech as an associate professor of journalism and the assistant director of the News Bureau. She can be contacted at sallierose@mail.com.
