Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.Proverbs 12:18
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Even as children, we knew that the rhyme was not true! The words we say and the way that we say them does hurt - and they can leave scars that last our whole lives. I know there are things that have been said to me that still hurt me many, many years later.
The words we use matter. Words can build up, or words can tear down. All too often we hurt the ones we love with our words. Why is it that we would say things to our family that we would never say to people in public? Why do we tend to be much more sarcastic with them?
Some people are pretty quick when it comes to cutting down others. All to often I am guilty of it, and I am trying to do better in that area. I need to be an example of love in my words and my actions at all times. I want to be a blessing to people, not a weapon used to hurt and tear them down, especially to my family members! The world can be such a hard and hateful place to be, so our homes should be a place of refuge from all the ugliness we face. Please pray for me to become better at being able to rescue and heal the people I love with the words I choose, instead of tearing them down when I am in a bad mood or frustrated.
The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them. Proverbs 12:6
6 comments:
This is something I think most of us could learn or have a refresher course, Cyndi. I was convicted as a young mother to watch my words carefully .. especially 'jesting' .. Good reminder.
I so often pray that the Lord would help me control my tongue, help me think before I speak. Although I am still bad about letting my words slip out before I've 'chewed them well', as Momma would have said, I am so much better now than in my youth. I was harsh and could cut like a knife with my words. How many times have I cried out to God to forgive me after I've had to beg forgiveness from someone who was on the receiving end of my untamed tongue? Thank you for this reminder to be ever alert and watchful. It is a lesson I need frequent and pointed reminders of. I love you sister!
you are so right cyndi about that stick and stones expression...funny how so many years have gone by since betty and i were in high school and the kids said mean things to us..i had the bruises of those for many, many years!..and then about five years ago betty and i flew to our old school out to my beloved manitoba, where there was a 60's school reunion...during the three days we both scurried around with our cameras, taking hundreds of pictures and videos...we told the organizer of the event that we would be both making sites where the "kids" could see the pictures and any picture that they wanted they could print..i put my photo blog on best quality so they could do this...well the last day of the reunion, i think, every one was in the school auditorium and carolyn, the organizer went to the microphone and these are the words and actions that washed those bruises away!.."you might have noticed that betty and teresa golden have been running around with their cameras..they have informed me that these photos will be available for all of you on the photo sites they are making......and then the cheering and clapping of hands and standing ovation the students gave to us cyndi...well that was what did it!...no more bruises!
but i am just thinking as i write that if that event HADN'T of happened, you know what?...these \precious scarf sisters that i have ...well they would have washed those bruises away!
thanks for such a great post barbie doll...love terry
here is my photo blog....ha!!
http://terrygolden.smugmug.com/
and here is betty's
http://www.rivers-reunion60s.net
This is something about which I need to remind myself on a regular basis. I am so quick to let words escape my lips without prior thought - especially when speaking to my husband or daughter. I'm getting better - with age comes wisdom, perhaps. The Lord has convicted me on more than one occasion regarding my words. I'll be praying for you - you can pray for me! :)
Sending a hug! Deb
Your are right Cyndi, thank you for sharing this
Great post...words are valuable and it's so easy to toss them out there. Some friends and I are studying James and so far my favorite verse is...be slow to speak and quick to listen and of course slow to anger.
The very freedom God gave us to speak our mind is exactly what the enemy uses to destroy others. Blessings.
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