We live in a very fast paced world. \u00a0We live in a very connected world. \u00a0These are two things that can be good, but they can also be very, very bad. \u00a0We have all heard the saying, “it is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.” \u00a0I think we should add something to that phrase, “it is better to keep your mouth closed or not hit send on an e-mail or post on Facebook or Twitter and let people think you are a fool.” \u00a0Let’s be honest, our first reaction to a difficultly is usually not our best reaction. \u00a0As an avid sports fan I have seen this play out way too many times on social media. \u00a0Something in the world of news or politics will come out, and some athlete or owner will react to it on social media only to have to delete the post or apologize for it later. \u00a0In the news last week was one such instance. \u00a0Four years ago Lebron James announced he was taking his talents to South Beach. \u00a0Understandably the owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Dan Gilbert, then penned a scathing letter about Lebron. \u00a0Now we have all written things or thought things in our mind about someone when they hurt us. \u00a0The problem is Mr. Gilbert then sent the letter out to all Cavalier season ticket holders. \u00a0If that isn’t bad enough, he then posted it on their official website for all to see. \u00a0That was four years ago. \u00a0So now let’s come back to the present. \u00a0Lebron James decided he wasn’t sure if he wanted to play in Miami anymore, and so he opted out of his contract. \u00a0That means he was a free agent and could choose where he wanted to play next season. \u00a0Lebron is from Akron, Ohio and still has a home in Ohio. \u00a0Here is the best basketball player currently in a position to return to where it all began for him. \u00a0He could instantly make the team better, and maybe even bring a long overdue championship to the city of Cleveland. \u00a0Yet Mr. Gilbert’s letter remained on the website. \u00a0Finally someone decided to get smart really quickly, and they removed the letter, but it is out there and everyone including the player you want to come play for you knows about it. \u00a0Ultimately, of course it was announced that Lebron was coming back to Cleveland. \u00a0But one indiscretion, one lapse of judgment almost cost someone very dearly. \u00a0There are many people on Facebook who have done similar things. \u00a0They get upset, write a passive aggressive rant, then they make the mistake of hitting the “post” button.<\/p>\n
Once you hit that button the train of consequences begins rolling down the track, and there is nothing you can do to stop it. \u00a0You can hit the delete button all you want, but it is out there. \u00a0A word of caution to all those on social media who are looking for a job, your potential employers are looking! \u00a0There have been people fired or not hired because of the information they share. \u00a0This upsets a lot of people, but you must know that while you have the freedom of speech, employers also have the right to not hire you or to let you go because most contracts have one of two clauses in them. \u00a0They either have a morals clause in which you agree not to do anything that is immoral and brag about it. \u00a0Or the other clause is one in which you agree to not do anything that reflects negatively on the company. \u00a0Simply put, you can’t unring the bell. \u00a0So how do we make sure we don’t fall into this trap? \u00a0The Bible says in James 1:19, “let every many be swift to hear, slow to speak (or post), and slow to wrath.” \u00a0God gave you two ears and one mouth, therefore do twice as much listening as you do talking and that will be a good place to start. \u00a0Secondly, put a mandatory wait time on yourself before responding to a situation that upsets you. \u00a0For myself, I try to wait at least 24 hours before responding to something controversial. \u00a0This wait time allows me to first pray about it. Secondly, it allows me to attempt to look at the other person’s perspective. \u00a0We often judge something or someone based on how we see things. \u00a0How many times has someone said something to you that hurt or offended you, but they genuinely meant it in a different way? \u00a0Perspective is key. \u00a0Finally, a mandatory wait time allows me to decide is this something I really need to respond to. \u00a0I saw a marquee a couple of weeks ago that is very applicable here. \u00a0It said, “you don’t have to enter every fight you are invited to.” \u00a0Another tactic that might help you not respond inappropriately is to ask yourself this question, is my post, e-mail, or response going to convey genuine love to the person or people who are going to read it? \u00a0Finally, I would ask yourself is what I’m about to say going to glorify God? \u00a0If we step back and apply these tactics and James 1:19, I truly believe we will not find ourselves having to apologize nearly as often as we do now. \u00a0Not only can words hurt us now, but the hurt can linger and cause even more problems down the road.<\/p>\n
By His grace and through His strength may we live for Him<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
We live in a very fast paced world. \u00a0We live in a very connected world. \u00a0These are two things that can be good, but they can also be very, very bad. \u00a0We have all heard the saying, “it is better … Read More