Dear Christian Educators members and friends, 

Can you believe it is already March? I’m sure some of you are anxiously awaiting your spring break. Or maybe you have already had one. Whatever the case, I hope and pray that the words God has placed on my heart will provide you with some clarity and encouragement as you push forward toward the conclusion of this school year.

In his epistle, James emphasizes the power of the tongue. He explains that even though it is small, it can have a significant impact. “Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark” (James 3:5, NIV).

I am sure that at some point in your career or personal life, you have been impacted by a verbal attack. Whether it happened to your face or behind your back, these words can cause wounds. These wounds can clog your mind with negative thoughts, create conflict in your spirit, and reduce the effectiveness of your impact. 

Recently, I was advising a member who was experiencing all three of these symptoms. She was hurt, downtrodden, and desperately trying to maintain her effectiveness as a Christian educator due to the hurtful words of a co-worker. I prayed with her and reminded her that she is a child of the Almighty God. And even though her trial seemed insurmountable, she was able to shift her focus to God’s promise to never leave her or forsake her. By the end of our conversation, she felt encouraged and empowered to continue fighting the good fight!

When people talk negatively about you, your first inclination might be to give it right back to them. But, the Lord says to turn the other cheek. He doesn’t want you to give conflict or division a place in your spirit or allow the hurtful words of others to form a stronghold in your heart. 

As you most likely already know, responding this way is not easy. However, as a Christian, you have the power through Christ to rise above your circumstances. According to 2 Corinthians 10:4, “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” 

If you ask for His help, God will provide you with the strength and self-control needed to respond to the hurtful words of others in a loving way. And He will always work on your behalf. 

As an educational consultant for Christian Educators, helping members navigate difficult and confusing times and then watching the Lord work in their lives is one of the most rewarding aspects of my role. I thank God for the testimonies.

I can tell you with all sincerity that our staff at CE is continually praying for you and your situations. As I have stated so many times before, we continually bear your burdens. In essence, we sincerely care about you.