Submitted by: Pastor Bill Shirley, Linden Christian Church

I once heard a story of a group of frogs that were traveling through the woods. Two of them fell into a deep pit. When the other frogs crowded around the pit and saw how deep it was, they told the two frogs that there was no hope for them.
However, the two frogs decided to ignore what the others were saying and they proceeded to try and jump out of the pit. Despite their efforts, the group of frogs at the top of the pit were still saying that they should just give up. That they would never make it out.
Eventually, one of the frogs took heed to what the others were saying and gave up, falling down to his death. The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die, that there was no hope.
He jumped even harder and harder and finally made it out. When he had gotten out, the other frogs said to him, “Did you not hear us?”
The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He did not want to let them down when they were encouraging him the entire time.
People’s words can have a big effect on other’s lives. Many times when you find yourself down in a pit, those around seem to pile more on. Think about what you say before it comes out of your mouth. It might just be the difference between life and death.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 – Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.