Sticks and Stones

I have been affected by the power of words lately - both my words and others' words. Words that are hurtful, confusing, discouraging. Words that say things that shouldn't have been said, let alone thought. Words that make me sad. Words that make me angry. My knee jerk, over simple solution is to stop emailing, stop talking, stop the words. A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends. Proverbs 16:28 NLT

A word out of your mouth may seem of no account,
but it can accomplish nearly anything - or destroy it!
A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that.
By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell.

Chances are you’ve been called something that hurt you, maybe even scared you. Chances are you have used some pretty hurtful words yourself.

In this day and age people will say anything that comes to mind. In the animated classic Bambi, Walt Disney coined the common phrase, “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothing at all.” We all need to watch what we say and I believe it’s OK to be the one who doesn’t have the last say…it’s alright to just listen and not speak…it’s alright to give someone else a compliment with nothing in return…and above all, it’s a good thing to be the one who extends some grace filled words into someone’s day. More than you know, it is likely they need to hear a kind word…just one word that could make all the difference to them.

Sticks and stones hurt and so do the words that are used to attack others. Words are powerful. Words can lift a person up or bring a person down. Yes, you can try not to allow hurtful things to wound your soul and crush your spirit but for the most part they manage to get in and accomplish the pain intended from the person who sent the wounding word.

People often say hurtful words to others because they are displacing hurt that is within them. Some of us are strong enough to endure words that are cast upon us by others. But some are affected deeply by strong words. The longer you allow hurtful words to affect you, the deeper the hole becomes and the harder it becomes to climb out of it.

Spend more energy and time on being kind, saying nice things, and just being a person with positive things to do and say. Your reward will be greater and better for being a kind person. It is better to be noticed for doing something nice than to be noticed for doing something hurtful.

Hurtful words are like bees. They sting and leave their poison to spread to the core of the person. Sometimes, there's an allergic reaction to the bee sting and can result in the demise of it's victim. Same with hurtful words according to Proverbs 18:21 "The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences". NLT

As a wife, a mother and a Christian, I'm accountable for the words that flow from my mouth. The words I speak go out into eternity. I can seek forgiveness and forgiveness will be granted, but I can't take back my words. We all say things that we wish we can take back. When our tongue cause hurt to others, we need to humble ourselves before God and our victims. From reading the gospels, I believe that Christ was a listener…and when HE spoke, HIS words were few, but always said with kindness and gentleness. I am trying to be a better listener. When you listen, it is amazing what you will hear!

Make it a habit then, of saying one kind word to each person who crosses your path. AND "Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.." EPHESIANS: 5:2

Blessings