Gossip

DEAR JESUS,
I have been burned by the rumors of gossip, and now I'm feeling convicted about the way I talk about others. I confess I have found it entertaining to let others in on my little secrets. But now I see that my words are meant to damage someone's reputation or make myself feel better. Sometimes I share information without evening knowing if it's true! I am so sorry for the way I have fanned the flames of gossip within my own circle. I see how much hurt it causes. Forgive me, God. You are the only one who can judge a person, and I should leave that in your hands. Who am I to destroy a person's reputation based on a rumor? Who am I to allow gossip to continue just so I feel like I'm in the loop? When I am tempted to gossip, remind me how others talke about me. Let the gossip stop with me. Give me the courage to change the subject or spin the conversation by saying something positive. I don't want to add fuel to the fire in any longer. Please, Lord, let my kind words allow your grace to break through to those around me.

*** The Scriptures say, " If you want to enjoy life and see amny happy days, keep your tounge from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies." I PETER 3:10 ***

I have to say that I like this prayer , for the reason that this is what I will say the next time I am on the receiving end of the rumors. I never knew that as a grown woman rumors could be spread about by another grown woman. It still hurts no matter what age you are but I think that it is a bit more shocking when you are well past high school and college age. That being said , I don't believe that this is only limited to women alone. Yes we talk more than men do and more frequently too, but it is possible for rumors to be spread by both men and women alike. Rumors are hurtful wether you start them or are the victim of them. The victim is wrongfully shamed and spoken about and the " Butter knife", person who starts the rumor and spreads is can get hurt by ruined and forever broken friendships because trust is lost. A lie is a lie and the thing worse than a lie is taking something that someone has brough to you in confidence seeking prayer and councel and using it as a tool to bring positive light onto yourself while making the other person look back. NOthing good ever comes from a lie and you cannot repay evil with evil and expect good to come from it.