Slaying the Spirit of Depression

 I often tell people that I am depressed.  Who wouldn't characterize life today as a mixed bag of uncertainty, unpleasantness, and unrelenting trials?  From the rapacious pandemic plundering the body to the poisoned well of misinformation, there doesn't seem to be anything chirpy to share to others.  Yet, my verbalization affects others whose spirits may further be disturbed beyond endurance.  Why be the outlet for advancing the forces of hopelessness and fear rather than mercy and love?

It is a choice really and too many times I have chosen to look at the negative things swirling around me and potentially transmitting these thoughts and feelings to others by using careless words.  It matters what I say.  I can either cast a long shadow or offer a ray of sunshine.  Which will it be?

Lord, God my tongue is too quick to speak and often not the kind that will lift the spirit.  Although my expressions are coming from the things I hear and see around me, I realize that I should temper it, provide a positive hopeful spirit sans falsehoods and misinterpretations.  Teach me to hold my tongue and let my words lead only to your heart.  Before I say anything at all, I must ask myself this question.  Are my words true and kind?  If I don't have anything good or nice to say about anything or anyone, let me hold my tongue and in its stead whisper in my heart the muted prayer of silence.