Pray More Than You Rant

I had a dream this morning that I was talking face-to-face with people who had misunderstood things I had said.

Some of my words had been repeated, taken out of context, and turned into something I never intended. In the dream, I finally had the opportunity to ask people, “Why are you repeating that? Why do you think that about me? Did you actually understand what I was saying?”

And even though it was a dream, it really isn’t that far from reality.

I’ve watched people distance themselves. I’ve seen how quickly something you say can be misunderstood, especially online. And confusion can turn people against each other before anyone ever stops to have a real conversation.

But this morning, I don’t think my biggest takeaway is that I need to defend myself better.

I think I need to pray more.

We need to pray more than we rant.

Before we post, pray.
Before we argue, pray.
Before we assume somebody’s motives, pray.
Before we repeat what somebody supposedly said, pray.

There is so much happening around us, and I don’t have time to unpack all of it right now. But one thing feels very clear to me:

We need to be pressing into God every day.

Not just when there is a crisis.
Not just when somebody misunderstands us.
Not just when we need an answer.

Every day.

Because sometimes the greatest battle isn’t winning an argument.

It’s keeping our hearts clear enough to hear God in the middle of the noise.

Pray more than you rant.