Often times we have no idea of who we affect and how we affect them. Our life is either an example or a warning and we get to choose which.
I was reminded of the destructive nature of negative thoughts this weekend. The same people who live their lives to pull others down are living sad, twisted and destructive lives - most are divorced at least once or cannot have a loving fulfilled relationship that lasts, their children hate them and won't talk to them and they struggle constantly with lack in many areas of their lives.
These same people never seem to be able to put two and two together and come to the realisation themselves that while they seek to hurt or destroy another human being they really destroy themselves. You don't know what a negative comment or lie or a hurtful post on a blog, FaceBook or Twitter can cause.
We have witnessed 4 teenage suicides in 18 months at one local school because of cyber-bullying. Someone's hurtful comments took the life of another human being. That is murder. The bible tells us if you hate your fellow man you are a murderer (hate means not to love or edify!) 1 John 3:15. You would have to be a callous heartless person not to feel some remorse or sadness or sense of loss knowing a beautiful 14 year old girl in the beginning of her life has taken their life because of someone's hurtful comments.
Yet thousands of adults hide behind 'anonymous' and post some of the most disgusting, hurtful, pathetic attacks of other people online, often without even knowing them personally - they would never have the guts to do it to the persons face yet they think its tough and its smart to hide behind the curtain of the internet and abuse others. If that is you, you are a murderer. The law may not be able to sentence you but your own spirit does - the emotions that you give out become you and you will lose everything. This is why Napoleon Hill said so strongly to avoid the seven negative emotions at all costs (fear, anger, hatred, revenge, jealously, superstition, and greed)
I look at these people in pity - I understand why Jesus said "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." Look at these people as a warning, never react to them and never participate in their self-destructive ignorant acts.
On the other hand we have the opportunity to touch and affect people in amazing ways and at the same time experience joy beyond comprehension. Touch people in ways that build them up and change the course of their lives. I am reminded of Ephesians 4:29 (KJV) "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."
Another translation says, "Don't say anything that would hurt another person. Instead, speak only what is good so that you can give help wherever it is needed. That way, what you say will help those who hear you." It goes on to say "Get rid of your bitterness, hot tempers, anger, loud quarrelling, cursing, and hatred. Be kind to each other, sympathetic, forgiving each other as God has forgiven you through Christ."
Do you know that most people at the end of a day cannot tell you one person they have edified or built up with their words. Sad isn't it. Not only sad but self-destructive. Our words can kill another human being or our words can give them life.
A few years ago a man in his early 50's came up to me at the end of a 3-hour stock market seminar and he said, "You may not remember me but you saved my life." I was quite shocked as I didn't recognise the man. He proceeded to tell me his story of how he was out of work and couldn't get a job for 5 years, and that he felt like a hopeless failure. He had written his suicide note to his wife and family and prepared to die ... he had given up.
Just then he got an invite to attend my stock market course and he thought "Why not, I'm not going to be here for much longer anyway." At that seminar I shared my story and shared hope and vision and my excitement for what anyone could do with the stock market. He went home and decided not to kill himself the next day as planned, but rather attend my 6-week stock market course. He went on to learn how to make money from home and got a whole new meaning to life. That was three years prior. His wife and children are forever grateful. I had a big lump in my throat.
I received an email the other day when I was facing some symptoms of sickness. It was from a lady in Canada. She simply said, "David you don't know of all the people you have helped. I'm still here because of you being on The Secret."
I saw a post on twitter this morning with a link. I followed it and again I was touched and humbled. You might want to read it to: http://bit.ly/o9wKQ
I am so grateful for the place God has given me, to be able to touch people's lives around the world for the better and to think of those who I have built up, even given life and hope.
We all have the choice to be an example or a warning ... choose today to only build up other people, choose only to post stuff on the internet that will make the other person smile, choose to ignore every hurtful comment and return only love. When we do that lives get saved, people get a new hope and they feel as if their life is worth living, just because of you.
You don't know who you will touch.
