Health, Appropriateness and the Divine Yes

"A healthy person is able to respond appropriately in every situation"- Bill Gross

"The disciplined person is the person who can do what needs to be done when it needs to be done. The mark of a championship basketball team is a team that can score points when they are needed. Most of us can get the ball into the hoop eventually, but we can’t do it when it is needed. Likewise, a person who is under the Discipline of silence is a person who can say what needs to be said when it needs to be said. “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver” (Prov. 25:11). If we are silent when we should speak, we are not living in the Discipline of silence. If we speak when we should be silent, we again miss the mark."- Foster, Celebration of Discipline

Foster also had another quote, which I can't find right now, that said something to the effect of this: There is a place in a life centered by God where a God-led yes and no come correctly out at the right time.

I do not believe either of these is avoidance or making everyone comfortable. Often the most appropriate word is hurtful to some. Many times is conveys strong emotions and brings conflict. But the spirit I think I hear here comes from Love for God and others and is led by God's Spirit.

Well, if you know me, you know that those statements are only a goal in my life. It's not as bad as it was when I could be sure to get at least one person upset unintentionally each day. I have spoken out of excitement (see my puppy post here: http://bit.ly/JoePuppy), out of anxiety, fear, competition, a desire for laughter and even love in inappropriate ways.

But I am not alone, not even among good Godly people. There are many I admire, many I care for, who have similar problems, albeit not all at my level(!) Being Godly and following the Lord does not immediately cure your tongue (see James 1). It takes commitment to God, and discipline, for that to happen.

I can think of very few who seem to me (at least from my experience) good role models for this: a former pastor's wife, my pastor and a couple of others. But I agree with Bill and Dr. Foster that health, and holiness, show themselves in part in this way.

So while I am seriously working on lowering my weight this year (another long-term failure!), I am also seriously working to be appropriate. Please encourage where you see growth, and privately comment where I need more work. May the words of our mouths and the meditation of our minds be pleasing in the sight of our Lord and Redeemer.