Have you ever played the game Telephone, where the first person in a line whispers something to the second person, that person repeats it to the third person and so on until it reaches the last person. It’s fun to hear how the original statement has changed. This game reminds me a lot of gossip. The only difference is gossip can have devastating effects on someone’s life. Proverbs 20:19 says, “A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much.” Whether it’s a quick comment or something we participate in on a regular basis, do we think about the consequences gossip can have? Unless we are walking in someone else’s shoes, we don’t know what drives their daily life and decisions. We are only making assumptions, which leads to more assumptions, until the gossip spirals out of control. The next time you think about gossiping, stop and remember how you would feel if you were on the receiving end of that gossip. Instead, pray and ask God to allow you to be a blessing to them. God Loves Ya! 😉 – Karen Chappell
