Platitudes, we’ve all heard them and some even used them even if you’re not familiar with the terminology. They’re convenient and I like to think of them as conversation enders. Platitudes are really just phrases that we use so often to placate someone’s feelings that the words themselves have lost their meaning. Its a catch all phrase that says ‘I hear but I’m not involving myself further in this’

What are you supposed to say if you’re pouring your heart out to someone and they say one of these terms? ‘What if it doesn’t come out in the wash?’ ‘What if it isn’t what it is?’ and then proceed to to a philosophical discussion? Who has the time? Its much easier to say ‘you’re right’ and then stuff your emotions back inside where they belong.

How often have we turned biblical verses into platitudes?

• Well you know you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you
• God did not give you the spirit of fear

Have these kind of verses lost their meaning in our over usage? Do we really understand what Paul went through to cause him to believe wholeheartedly that he was able to do all things through Christ’s strength? Or why he would encourage Timothy with the words that God did not give us the spirit of fear?

Maybe the challenge this week for me and for whomever wants to join is to really meditate, murmur and study the verses we use in this way to learn more about God and His work in us.