The Devastation of Gossip: Uplifting Others Through Prayer and Support.
By Kateb Nuri-Alim Shunnar.
In our daily lives, it's all too easy to become entangled in the affairs of others, often with the best of intentions. However, meddling in someone else’s business without offering genuine spiritual support is like termites gnawing away at a tree, slowly but surely destroying its foundation. Gossip and defamation are like cancer to the soul, insidiously spreading negativity and harm to others and ourselves.
When you notice someone struggling, instead of spreading rumors or passing judgment, push them towards the Creator and those who can provide true spiritual guidance. If you truly want to help, tell the Creator about their situation in prayer and meditation. Ask for a path to be made clear for them, for their burdens to be lightened.
We all have our own issues to deal with, and often, complaining about others’ problems is just a distraction from facing our own. What’s worse than griping about your own life? Complaining about someone else’s business that isn’t yours to manage. By stepping away from the entanglement of others' affairs, you can find peace. How can you possibly handle someone else’s troubles when your own life is in disarray? Offering advice when you're an angry mess with no faith in yourself or your Creator is not only unhelpful but can also lead to further chaos.
It's important to fix your own affairs first. Seek assistance from the Creator to get your life in order, and seek assistance through patience and prayer. This is our true path. Gossip and defamation do nothing but bring harm to yourself and others. Instead, focus on uplifting and encouraging those around you through positive actions and words.
Consider the tree weakened by termites. The termites, though small, collectively cause immense damage, just as small acts of gossip and defamation can erode the spirit of a community. Similarly, cancer begins with a few rogue cells, but if left unchecked, it spreads and devastates the entire body. Gossip works in the same way, starting with a few harmful words and escalating into widespread damage.
There are ways to help others without delving directly into their personal matters. First and foremost, pray for them. Ask the Creator to provide them with strength, clarity, and support. Secondly, offer your help in practical, non-intrusive ways. Provide a listening ear without judgment, offer assistance with tasks they might be struggling with, or simply be present and supportive.
Encourage others to seek spiritual guidance from those with the skills and connections to truly help. Instead of offering unsolicited advice, point them towards individuals who can offer the wisdom and support they need. This approach not only respects their privacy but also ensures they receive the best possible guidance.
It's crucial to remember that our words and actions have power. By choosing to speak kindly and act with integrity, we can create a positive ripple effect. Refrain from spreading rumors or speaking ill of others. Instead, use your words to build up, encourage, and support. Trust in the Creator to make things better for everyone involved.
In focusing on our own spiritual growth and seeking to support others in constructive ways, we can avoid the pitfalls of gossip and defamation. Our role is to uplift and encourage, not to tear down. By trusting in the Creator and acting with compassion and integrity, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others and in our own lives as well.
Dear Kateb, I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to reach out and express my deepest gratitude for the profound impact your work has had on my life. In a moment when I needed it most, your words provided me with both spiritual enlightenment and a personal upliftment that I cannot adequately express in words. It feels as though I have been blessed by a divine intervention to have encountered your writings. Interestingly, I came across your blog through a serendipitous chain of messages—from my brother in Alberta Canada, who received a recommendation from a friend in New York. Despite not knowing you personally, your writing has touched me deeply, and I felt compelled to let you kno…