What if your holiness were as easy as watching what you see, hear, and speak? Today on the Good Friday Sister podcast, we continue with our five-week series: Guard Your Senses. Why does this matter? Because our senses are gateways to our heart and mind, and when we are vigilant, we transform our lives and become the saints we are called to be. In today’s episode, Laura talks about the discipline of the tongue, the power of words, and why we all need to stop complaining! But like a good Good Friday Sister, she doesn’t just tell you to stop; she shows you how. If your tongue is what’s keeping you from becoming holy, this one is for you! Key Takeaways. Our words have spiritual consequences. Behind every complaint is a lazy desire. Habitual complaining reinforces negative patterns in our minds. What if we turned our complaints into gratitude? Key Scripture. Proverbs 21:23: He who keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. James 3:2b-18: The Tongue is a Flame Genesis 1:3-5: And the Lord God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light day, and the darkness he called night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. John 1:14: The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. James 3:9-10: With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brethren, this ought not to be so. Philippians 4:8: Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 2:14: Do everything without complaining and arguing. 2 Corinthians 2:14: But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. Proverbs 16:24: Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. James 1:19: Be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. Resources & Links Mentioned: Father Ripperger, This Instruction Is Clear — Hold Your Tongue Matthew Kelly, The Forgotten Way: The Saint James Master Plan Saint Faustina, Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska (Diary, paragraph 92) Good Friday Sister, Series 1: Creating a Daily Holy Rhythm Debbie Downer, Saturday Night Live Father Mike Schmitz, Ascension Press: Blindspots Catholic Culture, Complaining? It’s a question of Providence Dan Burke, Avila Institute, Apostoli Viae Father Michael Rennier, The Virtue of Being a Complainer Derek Hughes, @alittlenudge, Substack Want to stay in the know? Subscribe to Good Friday Sister on your favorite podcast platform. Want to support Good Friday Sister? Subscribe to Laura’s Substack. Paid subscribers receive access to exclusive bonus episodes. Want to invite Laura to speak at your event? Head on over to her website. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit phelpslauramary.substack.com/subscribe
