It strikes me how easy it is to overlook the power of our words. Written or spoken...words are the incredible conduit which help us take that which is in our hearts and our minds and share it with others. We should never underestimate our power when speaking words to another, or to ourselves, as it is precisely in our word choices that we elevate a word from simple letters to something actively heard...and felt.
The Bible itself is referred to as the Word; God's Word. God uses this instrument to provide for us all the instruction and guidance to live our lives to the fullest; and also how to treat each other in the process. It is within the pagesof the Bible that some of the most profound truths related to the use of words are found.
Some examples of the good...
~Job 4:4: "Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees."
~Proverbs 16:24: "Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."
Some examples of the not so good:
~Psalm 64:3 "They sharpen their tongues like swords, and aim cruel words like deadly arrows."
~Proverbs 12:18: "The words of the reckless pierce like swords."
~Proverbs 12:18: "The words of the reckless pierce like swords."
In the confines of just one week, I've experienced the light and hope that the words of another brought to my heart, or the heart of someone else. Today I feel weighed down by the exchanges I witnessed in which the words that were delivered were hurtful and discouraging.
To make matters worse, the very people who were recipients of the word-cruelty of another are some of the most loving, generous and kind people I have the pleasure I know. Sadly in one case, the person who aimed cruel words like a deadly arrow is one that many people actually admire. You can probably guess such admiration is not the result of her words.
Luke 6:45 says tells us that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." Pause and let that sink in. What is abundant in your heart? What is abundant in mine? Further, what do we do with that abundance? May we all examine our hearts, daily, minute by minute, and never underestimate that a word once spoken can never be retrieved, but rather lives on in the recipient forever.
Luke 6:45 says tells us that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." Pause and let that sink in. What is abundant in your heart? What is abundant in mine? Further, what do we do with that abundance? May we all examine our hearts, daily, minute by minute, and never underestimate that a word once spoken can never be retrieved, but rather lives on in the recipient forever.
You wrote, "We should never underestimate our power when speaking words to another, or to ourselves, as it is precisely in our word choices that we elevate a word from simple letters to something actively heard...and felt." Thank you for that. One of my BIGGEST struggles is repeating negative self talk. I hear it constantly and so it isn't long before I believe it...or as you put it, I feel it.
ReplyDeleteI need to put Luke 6:45 into practice in my own thoughts about myself. Thanks, Karen.
Thank you. Just finished writing about a situation in which words caused some major damage in my relationship with my sister. So true they pierce and destruct, and repair and love. Words.
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