Less Salt. More Grace.
by Kara Driskell CF-L1 Coach and Athlete @crossfitmurphy @karahdriskell
Growing up I was taught that it is rude to put salt on your food before you have tasted it. The thought behind this is that you should taste what the food tastes like, determine its level of seasoning or lack thereof, and then add salt to taste.
When I read Colossians 4:6, that idea comes to mind. It says, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.”
We should be kind and gracious to everyone, first and foremost. But those around you might vary in the amount of “salt” or “seasoning” they need from you when you are providing them with advice or words of encouragement. Maybe they just need you to listen. Maybe they need to hear compassionate truth. Maybe they need you to stop and pray for guidance or strength. You should be in sync to what the Lord would have you say to them, not just how YOU think the problem should be fixed. That’s similar to pouring salt on something before you’ve tasted it. But rather you should ask yourself how does the Lord want you to season their life? Walking with him and having His word written on your heart, helps gauge the level of seasoning friends may need. As you work on your daily walk with the Lord, ask yourself, is there someone you need to be praying for guidance on how to help encourage? Or could you be praying about the words you are saying to others and how they might be impacting them? Remember, the verse starts with grace and kindness.
Reflection:
-Am I spending time in the word of God so that the Word of God is written on my heart and coming out through my speech?
-Am I encouraging those around me because I want to be the one to help fix their problems or because I am listening intently and allowing the Lord to use me to encourage them?
Take Action:
-Pray for opportunities to encourage those around you in a way that they need.
-Pray for opportunities to speak scripture out during a conversation or time of encouragement for someone.
-Try to write down 1 verse this week everyday. Put it in different places so you see it often in different ways.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for giving me your word, through scripture to know truth and to fill my heart with goodness. Please help me to write those words on my heart so that when I speak to others, they are your words not my own. Help me to give grace to others, just as you so graciously do for me. Lead me to encourage someone today through your words. Amen.