Used in context I knew what ruminating meant, but other than that it just seemed like a big word. Certainly that word didn’t apply to me. That is until I read a book that explained how women struggle with ruminating more than men do. I decided to look it up.
ru·mi·nate (rōō’mə-nāt’)
- To turn a matter over and over in the mind.
- To chew cud.
Surely I don’t chew cud! But I must confess, after considering this horrid thought, I believe it’s true.
We’re careful what we say to others. Our words are weighed so that tone, meaning, and intention are clearly communicated. We wouldn’t be caught saying something like “that” to anyone!
But we do! They just don’t hear it.
It’s the tongue of the brain. All those things you’d say if you just got the chance! If only you would have thought of those nasty things to say at the time, you would have let them know how you really felt. Every word is ripe and ready in your mind after the hundred and one versions you’ve created, so when the opportunity arises, you are prepared!
We eat up all the events that have been adding fuel to the fire. Then we chew them up for a few minutes, days, weeks… sometimes even years.
Unlike animals who chew their cud for nutrition and sustenance, when we begin talking negatively in our heads the only thing we are feeding is unforgiveness, hurt, anger and sin. It never produces anything beautiful; it never gives life.
There are times our conversation is with that special someone – ME.
“I’m such an idiot.”
“Everything is my fault.”
“There’s no point in trying.”
God directs us to tame our tongues. That means being careful what we say and controlling our conversations. It even includes controlling the words in our head — no matter who they’re directed at!
God wants us to ruminate. But He’s told us we should ruminate on things that will nourish our souls and feed our hunger for God.
Summing it all up… I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Philippians 4:8 (MSG)
“ruminating.” The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. 09 Jan. 2010. <Dictionary.comhttp://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ruminating>.
To leave a comment:
- If you are reading this post in email form, click the article headline. This will take you to the article on MMCW’s website.
- Scroll down until you see the box entitled ‘Speak Your Mind’.
- Enter your name, email (it will not be published) and your website or blogsite if you have one (you do not have to have one).
- Click on the big empty space and then begin typing your comments.
- When you are done, click ‘submit comment’. That’s it! We look forward to hearing from YOU!
About Carla Anne Coroy
Carla Anne can be described in one word: passionate. After just a few minutes with her it is evident that her biggest passion is people. Carla Anne is an accomplished Christian author, speaker and business woman. Her favourite way to spend her free time is hanging out with her 8 kids (an even mix of sons, daughters, and in-laws) and many family “add-ons”. In winter you can find her cheering for her local hockey team and in summer she’ll be on the beach!
