A Tale Of Two Sisters

A Tale Of Two Sisters

The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. Proverbs 18:21

“My sister is always putting me down. She tells me I can never do anything right,” Justine complained. “She tells me my perfume stinks, that blonde hair is ‘out,’ that I don’t earn enough money at my job, and that I should go back to school so I can get a better job and make more money.”

I had asked Justine if she had any stress in her life, and her answer was a lot more than I expected.

“She even picks on my husband. She says he’s a bum and that he’s ugly. Why does she have to constantly run me down in every area of my life?”

Justine obviously looked up to her sister, and their contentious relationship was wearing on her. She wanted to have a more loving relationship, but her older sister’s cutting remarks made that impossible. “Tell me about your sister and your relationship while you were growing up,” I suggested, hoping to get a handle on what was happening.

“She’s two years older, and she won every award there was to win in high school. Most beautiful, most intelligent, most likely to succeed . . .”

As Justine continued to list the accolades her sister had received when they were younger, I didn’t sense any jealousy or bitterness; she was simply stating the facts.

“When we were younger, we got along great. After high school, she met her husband, they got married, had three kids, and moved away. Then something happened. I don’t know the details, but her husband left her and moved in with another woman. After that, my sister just grew bitter, and now that she’s moved back, she’s so hard to be around!”

“Justine, you have a great life with a terrific job and loving children. Your sister’s bitterness is aimed at you because you’re a safe target for her.”

“I never thought of it that way, but I think you’re right. If she said these things to her kids, it would destroy them. Justine resolved to pray that her sister’s heart would heal quickly so that they could have a warm relationship again.

TODAY’S RX

Sometimes, people say mean things that aren’t intended to hurt us. Instead, these words reveal the condition of the speaker’s heart and help us to know how to pray for them.

God, I pray that my words will be uplifting to those around me today. Let me be quick to listen and slow to speak, bringing light to those in need.