What Good is Gossip?

The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts. Proverbs 18:8 NIV

After recently relocating from Cleveland, Ohio to Miami Florida, I left everything I was familiar with and everything I loved. This includes family, friends, jobs, my church, everything. I not only left those nearest and dearest to me, but everything I had grown accustomed to doing. Now, many miles away and nine months later I find myself calling home on a daily basis just to keep up with what’s going on back home. All was well, until I got news, or shall I say I heard gossip, that I call home too much, and if I was going to call that much maybe I never should have moved. On top of all that I also heard that I’ve been calling so much that I’m not giving anyone enough time to miss me. Ouch! Thinking about it now, it hurts, but at the same time it’s this kind of gossip that robs us of our Joy. Yes, I found Joy in calling home and speaking with my mother, aunts and cousins. That’s until I heard these negative words that pierced my heart like a knife. Now, I tell myself, I won’t call them, and I’ll make them miss me before I call again. Is this healthy for me? Certainly not, but I don’t want to be a bother either. Had I not listened to such gossip I’d probably be talking to the ones I love, but now I sit feeling defeated by not only the gossip but by the sadness that has replaced the Joy I used to feel when I called home.  Basically, gossip is another tactic of the enemy to do what he does best, which is to steal, kill and destroy. Just one hour of listening to this nonsense allowed him to steal the Joy of hearing my families voices, Killed my spirit, and destroyed the closeness I was feeling because now I wonder what my family really thinks about me calling so often. Gossip can be a great deceiver if you let it. So keeps your hearts and minds guarded from it at all times.

Before gossip tries to come against you say this prayer of strength:

Father, I am yet a human, struggling not to listen to words of the world. Please guide my ears to hear and discern what is from you.  Father whenever a gossiper whispers in my ear, allow me to hear words of wisdom instead and allow me to remain joyful and focused on your purpose for me. When I am caught listening to the world’s chaos, issues, and circumstances, draw me nearer to you and remind me of your love for me.