Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander.”

1 Peter 2:1 CSB

 It’s the first morning in quite some time you’re not rushing out the door, finally getting to make your favorite smoothie with the fresh berries you bought at the grocery store the other day. Things have been so hectic lately— it was just the other day, right? You open the container and to your dismay, a white fuzz blankets most of the berries. Time must have gotten away from you. You chunk the container into a garbage can, thinking, “Had I caught the first sight of mold, maybe they could have been fresh for longer.”

Worse than berries, mold can be contagious in our faith. Secrets and bitter thoughts from a place of hurt can spread and grow, ultimately leaving us with hardened hearts, in destruction, or causing others to stumble. What if we were desperate to rid our minds and hearts of mold?

Jesus, thank You for Your mercy. You alone are Lord of my life. I invite you to also be Lord over my thoughts. When things don’t go my way, or when I’m reminded of wrongdoing, help me to speak gratitude and life rather than negativity and bitterness. Give me the courage to confess and seek accountability or healing. Amen

Taylor Newton