Are We Going Up or Down?
I have a fear of elevators. I’ve never actually gotten stuck in one, but as long as I can remember, I’ve been less than thrilled to get in one. They often feel tight and cramped, dark and dingy. And they do not move fast enough for me. And don’t get me started on the number of people that you can pile in one. Everyone encroaching on your personal space, and the nerve of people who want to push every button and move around while the elevator is in motion.
According to Google, it’s a real fear! Elevator phobia, also known as ascensumophobia, is likely a form of claustrophobia mixed with a fear of heights or acrophobia. The tight space and being enclosed can trigger stress and/or anxiety in those who have this fear.
Again, I’ve never been in a bad situation with an elevator, but those closest to me know I’m not a fan. I’ll go out of my way to find a set of stairs or an escalator. I will also be sure to remind you of my dislike toward elevators while waiting for one, or while on one, if you get blessed with the opportunity to ride with me. It doesn’t matter if I’ve already told you more than once! Not to mention, I’ll hike several floors and be short of breath before I ride an elevator by myself.
I heard my pastor share recently in a sermon about the power of our words. The power that our words can carry concerning building up others. We have the power, like an elevator, to bring them up or down. Just by the words we say and with how we say them. No pressure, right?!
It got me thinking, though, not only do our words have much impact, but our actions have just as much. How we treat others, whether we know them or not. Our body language. The tone of our words. Taking a moment to think before we speak, taking care not to say something hurtful. Being mindful of the way we walk through this life. You and I may be the only image of Jesus that someone may get. Is it good or bad?
I may not want to freely go ride an elevator today, but I want to build up those around me. I don’t want to think that by my thoughts, words, and/or actions, I am tearing someone down. I know the reality. I know that I’m not perfect and there are more times than not that I fall short and let people down. I need forgiveness, too. It challenges me to live with a higher standard and to hold myself accountable.
How about you? Are those around you being built up or torn down? I challenge you this week to be a light to those around you. Take a little extra time to be kind and extend grace and mercy. It’s a reminder I also have to give to myself. We never know one hundred percent of everything someone else may be dealing with or carrying. Kindness goes a long way. Let’s choose to build others up with not only our words, but with our actions too. I promise it’ll be worth it.
James 3:1-12
Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.
We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.
But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.
People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.
