When most of us hear the name Tiger Woods, Serena Williams,
Lebron James and John Elway we are immediately aware that these people are all
amazing athletes. How many of you however know the name Michael Maze????
Michael Maze is famous alright but probably in a sport most of us don’t follow
avidly or could care less about. What sport am I talking about you may be
asking yourself, well the sport I am referring to is ping pong.
Some of you are probably laughing right now because I’m sure a lot of people don’t consider ping pong as a sport and to be honest I’m not so sure but that’s not the point to debate right now. Even if you’re not too familiar with the ins and outs of ping pong I’m sure most of us have watched it a time or two or played it. I know that in college it was a big thing to do especially on a campus in a small town with not much to do at times. I am terrible at ping pong but my husband is pretty good at it and really enjoys playing it with his dad and brother whenever they get a chance.
The game of ping pong really is simple if you think about it, I mean I know there are rules and regulations for the game but basically it takes two people competing against each other by hitting a ball back and forth with wooden paddles trying to score to win the match. I started thinking about this and felt like so many times relationships can be like an intense game of ping pong especially during conflict. Like a ping pong match during a conflict whether it be in a marriage, a friendship, an acquaintance or whatever it may be we find ourselves using our mouths as paddles and our words as the ball taking quick swings at the person on the opposite end whom we usually care a great deal about just to win the argument or "match." Regardless of the rules we have set forth ahead of time in the heat of the match we lose sight of them and are only focused on winning. Often we say things that are untrue and hurtful to purposefully take a quick jab at the other person to give us an upper hand in the match.
Alot of times we will feel powerful and good about ourselves initially because we allowed our emotions to step in and spout off whatever came to mind but usually it doesn’t take long for the guilt to set in by the way that we managed to tear the other person down and damage their spirit. That attitude and behavior is something Satan sits back quietly and feeds off of because if we can destroy each other with our actions and words then it makes his job much easier and causes a barrier between us and the Lord. Because our emotions are so unpredictable and so quick to change from moment to moment especially in the midst of a confrontation with someone we love its easy for us to fly off the handle and think that our feelings are truth and whatever they are telling us is rational when in fact a lot of times they aren't.
James 1:19-21 " My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you."
We should ask for the Lords wisdom to help us live out James 1:19 however in the heat of the battle instead of being quick to use our words as ammo against the other person we should ask for the Lords help to capture those negative thoughts and point out what’s real and pleasing to Him and what’s untrue and hurtful so that we can avoid reacting destructively. 2 Corinthians 10:5 "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."
Although it may seem silly we should think of our words like a tube of toothpaste, after the toothpaste has all been squeezed out of the tube no matter how hard we try we will never be able to put it back in. Words are one of the most powerful weapons we can ever have against another because once they are spoken we can never take them back therefore we must remember this next time conflict arises and we find ourselves preparing for a match, not with a wooden paddle but, with our words. Is taking a few cheap shots with your mouth and winning the match at the expense of the other person’s spirit really worth it???
Some of you are probably laughing right now because I’m sure a lot of people don’t consider ping pong as a sport and to be honest I’m not so sure but that’s not the point to debate right now. Even if you’re not too familiar with the ins and outs of ping pong I’m sure most of us have watched it a time or two or played it. I know that in college it was a big thing to do especially on a campus in a small town with not much to do at times. I am terrible at ping pong but my husband is pretty good at it and really enjoys playing it with his dad and brother whenever they get a chance.
The game of ping pong really is simple if you think about it, I mean I know there are rules and regulations for the game but basically it takes two people competing against each other by hitting a ball back and forth with wooden paddles trying to score to win the match. I started thinking about this and felt like so many times relationships can be like an intense game of ping pong especially during conflict. Like a ping pong match during a conflict whether it be in a marriage, a friendship, an acquaintance or whatever it may be we find ourselves using our mouths as paddles and our words as the ball taking quick swings at the person on the opposite end whom we usually care a great deal about just to win the argument or "match." Regardless of the rules we have set forth ahead of time in the heat of the match we lose sight of them and are only focused on winning. Often we say things that are untrue and hurtful to purposefully take a quick jab at the other person to give us an upper hand in the match.
Alot of times we will feel powerful and good about ourselves initially because we allowed our emotions to step in and spout off whatever came to mind but usually it doesn’t take long for the guilt to set in by the way that we managed to tear the other person down and damage their spirit. That attitude and behavior is something Satan sits back quietly and feeds off of because if we can destroy each other with our actions and words then it makes his job much easier and causes a barrier between us and the Lord. Because our emotions are so unpredictable and so quick to change from moment to moment especially in the midst of a confrontation with someone we love its easy for us to fly off the handle and think that our feelings are truth and whatever they are telling us is rational when in fact a lot of times they aren't.
James 1:19-21 " My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you."
We should ask for the Lords wisdom to help us live out James 1:19 however in the heat of the battle instead of being quick to use our words as ammo against the other person we should ask for the Lords help to capture those negative thoughts and point out what’s real and pleasing to Him and what’s untrue and hurtful so that we can avoid reacting destructively. 2 Corinthians 10:5 "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."
Although it may seem silly we should think of our words like a tube of toothpaste, after the toothpaste has all been squeezed out of the tube no matter how hard we try we will never be able to put it back in. Words are one of the most powerful weapons we can ever have against another because once they are spoken we can never take them back therefore we must remember this next time conflict arises and we find ourselves preparing for a match, not with a wooden paddle but, with our words. Is taking a few cheap shots with your mouth and winning the match at the expense of the other person’s spirit really worth it???
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