A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. ~Proverbs 15:1 (NLT)
Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. ~Proverbs 16:24 (NLT)
When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. ~Proverbs 31:26 (NLT)
Words are powerful!
Some words can be heavy and suffocating. I recently had a conversation with someone whose words were all negative and complaining. I could feel my mood and my energy change with each word. I left the room feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, and sad.
Other words are uplifting and life-giving. I’ve had many conversations with people whose words were filled with encouragement. The positive words spoken to me by these persons were like a gift—they filled me with a renewed energy and an improved outlook on life. They were often exactly the words I needed to hear at the time I really needed to hear them.
Some words are mean-spirited and cause pain and anger. The hurt these words cause can last a long time—sometimes a lifetime. I can still feel the sting of some unkind words spoken to me when I was in middle school. I don’t think of the hurtful words often, but sometimes they just pop into my head and I can remember the way they made me feel when they were spoken.
Other words are gentle, and are spoken with a spirit of kindness and love. These words can bring comfort during difficult times and offer acceptance to those feeling left out. They can give courage when fear abounds, and can bring healing to a soul that is hurting. These are the kind of words I think of when I think of a few special women in my life. They have been, and still are, ready and willing to speak love right to my heart. Their words are always a blessing.
Words are powerful. Therefore, our words are important. As followers of Christ, we should be speaking words of kindness, love, acceptance, and hope. We should be speaking words of encouragement to each other. We should be speaking words of praise and thanksgiving. And we should be speaking words of invitation—words that invite others into a relationship with Christ. Our words should be a guiding light, leading others toward an amazing encounter with our Heavenly Father.
A couple of weeks ago, I heard a song by Hawk Nelson called “Words” that really made me think, especially about my own words. I’d like to share some of the lyrics with you:
Let my words be life
Let my words be truth
I don’t wanna say a word
Unless it points the world back to You
Let the words I say
Be the sound of Your grace
I don’t wanna say a word
Unless it points the world back to You
I’d like to think that my words, the ones I speak and the ones I write, are pointing the world back to God, but I know that is not always the case. I am going to try harder to point others in the right direction. How about you?
Be blessed!