But that's just not how life works.
Remember the last time someone did something small that made your day? Maybe someone complimented you. Maybe someone shared their food, stayed up late texting you, or even just smiled at you. Even though it was something small, it made you feel really really great didn't it? And you probably thought about it for awhile. Yet it might not even have been a big deal for the other person. See, even though it was something small for them to do, it made a big impact on you.
The older I get, the more I have understood the power of influence. Just a small comment or action from someone can make my day-or break it. Conversely, I distinctly remember one of my good friends (who, at the time, was a cancer patient) telling me how encouraging my instagram account was to her. That was a moment where I realized that I am unintentionally making an impact on everyone who reads my Instagram feed.
Listen. If there's one thing you need to understand, it's that:
Every thought
Every word
Every action
Every post
Is going to make an impact-positive or negative-on every single person who sees or hears it. Why do you think the Bible is constantly talking about watching our words and actions? If they didn't make a difference, it wouldn't matter. But the fact is, they do make a difference. A huge difference. Even your thoughts make a difference, because thoughts become words and actions. Every single part of you makes an impact.
So my question to you is: what kind of impact are you making? I'm definitely not going to throw stones-I've made terrible impacts on people before. I've said things I regret and I've done things I regret. But I don't let that hold me back. I want to impact people positively, to encourage and inspire them. So my challenges to you are:
Take Every Thought Captive
We take every thought captive to obey Christ. -2 Corinthians 10:5
We can't keep unkind or destructive thoughts from coming into work, however, we can't control what we do with those thoughts. We have a choice: we can either hold on to the thoughts and allow them to influence our words and our actions, or we can take the thought captive, say no, and pray for God to fill our hearts with love for Him and for others. Yes, we are going to fail, we are going to have days we say and do things that we regret, but God will cover us with grace-not only to be forgiven but also to live the way He has called us to live.
Speak Life
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. -Proverbs 25:11
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life. -Proverbs 10:11
We also must be careful in our words. The only way to do this is to truly think before we speak. We have to be aware of our words and how they might impact those around us. We must use our words to build up, and not to bruise. The truth is: words hurt. We have all been hurt by words. So let our words be gracious, and let them serve to help others rather then hurt them.
Live and Love
Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and truth. -1 John 3:18
You know that person who always claims to be a good friend but never truly acts like it? This is along the lines of what John is talking about in this verse. It doesn't matter what our words say, but the true test of what we think is in our actions. Words can lie, but actions rarely do. Well we can fake many other things, our actions will make our hearts clear. The only way to truly live as a follower of Christ is to be a follower of Christ from the heart. A heart in love with Jesus and totally abandoned to Him will desire to honor Him in every area of life. So pray that He would give you the grace and strength to live in a way that honors Him
and shows abundant love to others.
Remember that everything you do has impact.
Someone is always watching.
Live to honor Him-live to impact others for Him.
Love to live. Live to love.
-Amy Carmichal
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