The Silent Voice: A Story of Transformation...

Dear Readers,

I remember a time in my life when gossip seemed like an easy outlet. My days were filled with conversations where I would share the latest news and juicy bits of gossip that I thought would bring me closer to others or make me feel more important. It was easy, like picking fruit from a tree, and the sweetness of the gossip would stay with me, for a while. But over time, I began to see the damage it caused.

It wasn’t just the relationships I had with people around me. It was the damage I was doing to my own soul. Each time I indulged in gossip, I felt a little more disconnected from the person I was supposed to be. I felt a darkness growing in my heart, one that was fueled by jealousy, pride, and resentment. The joy I thought I was getting from gossip was temporarily fleeting, like the momentary pleasure of a forbidden fruit.

One day, as I was telling yet another story about someone who wasn’t present, I caught myself. It was like a sudden shift, a moment of clarity. The words I was speaking didn’t feel good anymore. I could see the hurt they would cause, the ripples that would spread from my careless speech. It was then that I realized I had been wrong, that gossip wasn’t the answer to my insecurities, and it certainly wasn’t bringing me closer to anyone.

At that moment, I knew I had to change. I had to stop the cycle. I prayed for God’s guidance, asking for strength to resist the temptation of gossip. I started to speak with more care, to consider the impact of my words, and to seek out better news to share. Over time, I found that the joy I had been searching for didn’t come from tearing others down but from building them up. It came from choosing words that were kind, truthful, and full of grace.

Now, when the temptation to gossip arises, I remember that there is better news to share. I remember the gospel the good news that restores, heals, and brings light to the darkest corners of our lives. And I choose to speak that instead. It’s a hard choice sometimes, but it’s always the right one.

Jacob M