…Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. — Ephesians 4:29 NLT
Our words have the power to either build or demoralise people. You may have heard the saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can’t hurt me”— well, this saying is not quite right. It implies that while physical harm can cause visible pain, the impact of words is not as direct. It doesn’t however appreciate that negative and inappropriate words can have a significant mental or psychological impact on people.
The words we speak really matter. Wisdom calls for us to be careful with what we say especially to those who are going through tough times, and those despairing of life.
Many have been seriously wounded by what life has dealt them. Whether it’s a failed marriage or a messy and painful divorce. A costly legal battle. Bitter family feuds. The loss of a pregnancy. A sickness resulting in some form of disability. A failed business. A victim of someone else’s mistake. Death of a loved one. The list goes on. We can confidently say that during one’s journey here on earth, life may not be very kind to many.
The words we speak can bring encouragement, faith, healing and hope. On the other hand, if we lack wisdom and thoughtfulness, our words can make a very difficult situation worse.
When we meet or learn of family or friends who are dealing with life issues, we need to be extra sensitive to their situation. We can bring encouragement by sending and speaking comforting and hope-filled words and messages. “A soothing tongue [speaking words that build up and encourage] is a tree of life, But a perversive tongue [speaking words that overwhelm and depress] crushes the spirit.” Proverbs 15:4 (AMP)
When we bring encouragement to grieving people, let our words be seasoned and filled with the truth of God’s word. Let us remember that the word of God is alive and active. Like food to the stomach, the word of God satisfies. Like cold water to a dry and patched throat, the word of God refreshes. The word of God dispels all darkness, and it cleanses.
The example of Job’s friends should teach us not to be too quick to draw conclusions about the plight of people. Immediately they opened their mouth, grace and compassion disappeared. Their supposed or intended words of encouragement were largely wrong assumptions about Job. Job himself was guilty of drawing rash conclusions about God when he said, “…I have [rashly] uttered that which I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.” Job 42:3 (AMP)
Let’s pray that God will teach us how to speak life to people, especially to those who are hurting. “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” Colossians 4:6 (NKJV)
Stay blessed,
LaraLex
Hills and Valleys 