To Gossip or Not To Gossip...That is the Question

     Every now and then in youth and church, my pastors or youth pastor mention how everyone gossips. Of course they tell us it is a sin, but we are only human. On one particular day, they explained to me how there is so much negativity in the world- I must say I agree.We encounter negativity almost every single day, from poverty, hunger, war and even gossiping. Shouldn't we want to be a positive force in the world? The answer to my title is to NOT gossip! I hope you will agree with me and understand why. 

     In high school, all anyone ever does is gossip. Us girls especially like to gossip about the juiciest thing that happened during school, who got into trouble over the weekend, and mostly other girls. We constantly tear each other down without any mercy. We are crazy. I want to know what would happen if we would just stop our foolish ways. How would our lives change? How would we feel? How would we impact the people around us? 

     Today I decided to try my very best to not gossip or say anything negative about anyone. Did I fail to do so? YES! At first it was going good, I went to my first class at 8:00 am and I was too tired to interact with anyone. It went by smoothly, but then a guy walked into class about 40 minutes late, and of course I gave my friends next to me a "look." They laughed quietly and I shook my head. I then realized what I had done. It was not even an hour into class and I was already not being very Christian. By the end of the class, he of course was confused about something, so I decided to help him.  It felt good to help him- actually, it felt way better than making snide remarks. 

     This happened to be my pattern throughout the whole day. I had to make a conscious effort not to do or say anything negative. It was a struggle, I can't help it. It takes a great deal of inner strength not to make a comment, a look, or a gesture. 

     I want to change our negative attitudes into positive ones. I know you have probably heard everyone say that, but this time it is for real. I want to challenge the youth to stand up for what is right, talk to those who don't "fit in," and I want others to stop talking badly about others, but most importantly about themselves. It is natural to feel like you aren't good enough, but once you know you are good enough, and then you are happy with yourself, it will radiate off of you. There will be no need to put others down or to gossip. 

     I will continue this experiment, and hopefully see how it changes myself and possibly others. I will encourage others instead of tearing them down and see where it goes. I hope that you will also take initiative to be a positive force and test your strength. In closing, I want to leave you with this Bible verse from Psalm 97:10,  "Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked."