We are programmed to believe that if we work harder and have more money then we can have good things. But this is not true! The only way to good is through God. All we have to do is ask and God is willing to and able to give. We cannot earn what God has for us. All we have to do is open our hearts and receive what He offers.

He does require certain things of us. For God to truly move in our lives we must follow rules that he has given us. This can be very difficult since we are conditioned to follow what society dictates as acceptable behavior. Let’s start this week with 1 step. That sounds easy enough but we will have to work to accomplish this and at times it will be very difficult. Maybe it will seem impossible. I ask that you stick with it no matter what. Even if you make mistakes along the way, that is normal. Just don’t give up!
Our task for this week is:

Never speak badly about anyone.

Sounds easy, right? For some of you if may be but I know it will be difficult for me. I have gotten into the habit of speaking badly about certain people in my life and often I find myself speaking badly about someone just because the person I am talking to is doing it. This is a habit. A habit that we can break with perseverance and a willingness to change. If you have a friend that can buddy with you on this exercise that would be great. It needs to be someone that is willing to call you on it when you are talking about someone negatively and that you can do the same for that person. You can also practice with that friend on stopping a conversation when it is headed the wrong way. The goal of this week is for us all to never speak badly about another person no matter who they are and to avoid those conversations as well. This can be a spouse, a brother, sister, mother, father, step parent, friends and acquaintances. Anyone at all that we  say bad things about.

I know that I will have the most difficult time with my husband. Our marriage is going through a rough patch and I get on the phone with my mother and my friends and vent about the things “he has done to me”. This is easy because my mother and friends will normally take my side and agree with me no matter what the circumstance. I know I do this because if makes me feel better about myself and I feel justified in my emotions. If I am angry about something he said or did all I have to do is pick up the phone and tell one of my “supporters” and I get the response I want.  Like, “He shouldn’t do that’ or “He doesn’t realize how good he has it with you”. I’m not proud of it but it is a habit that I have created. This is a habit that I definitely want to break. This week will test my ability to change but I believe I can do it. With God’s help and prayer my goal is to only speak good of my husband no matter what.

For the next week only speak good things about people. Also, do not take part in conversations where others are speaking badly about people. Even if you just stand there and listen it will have a negative impact on you. It will get easier each day and after a week of sticking to this you will have created a new habit. One of positive speech and positive thoughts. This is for your benefit. You will reap the rewards of this exercise! It will create a more positive environment around you and it will allow God to bring good works into your life.