Proverbs 12:18 “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
Proverbs 15:1 “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such is as good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
Proverbs 21:23 “Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.”
Proverbs 13:13 “Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.”
I could go on and on listing scripture regarding the words we speak. The words we speak are powerful!
“Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.”
That is a bunch of phooey. I have been hurt by the words of others time and time again. And no, I am not a victim. I have hurt others with my words as well. During those bad seasons of my life that I talked about yesterday my mouth was the ugliest part of me. When I was not happy with myself I tended to lash out at others…mainly the people I loved the most in this world. I am an emotional person and when I am upset I tend to spout off at the mouth not thinking about the consequences or how I might be damaging my relationships. I still fail but I have come a very long way since recognizing this was a major issue in my life.
Whether it is your significant other, family member, friend, coworker, neighbor, teacher, cashier at the checkout line etc. it is important to think about what you are going to say before you speak no matter how upset you are in the moment. This is difficult and especially when the other person is lashing out at you.
Matthew 12:36 “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak.”
That is enough reason right there for me to hold my tongue and think things through before I speak.
Some of us are control freaks and cannot let go of the need to be “right” and in wanting our voice to be heard we use harsh words. Some of us are inconsiderate of others in public due to lack of education or respect in many cases. (I could go off on another topic here. I grow SO weary of hearing people talk on their cell phones while I am shopping, at the doctor’s office, out to dinner or pretty much anywhere. These conversations are usually loud, distracting and more times than not, negative.) Some of us have just been beaten down so much in life that we only know negative talk.
Instead of feeding negative talk, lets feed encouraging words. Let go of the need to be right. Let go of defensiveness and being a victim. Instead let’s work on only speaking life giving words of light and encouragement. Positivity breeds positivity. Negativity breeds negativity. Which do you prefer to bring to others? It is all about perspective and making the choice to live in a positive light. It is about letting go of your ego and knocking that chip off of your shoulder. It is about not judging others, for you do not walk in their shoes. Stay in alignment with who God made you to be…don’t be molded into something the world has made you to be.
“The people who trigger us to feel negative emotion are messengers. They are messengers for the unhealed parts of our being.” ~ Teal Swan
I believe this to be true from personal experience. We are placed with certain people to learn about ourselves. Once you realize this…make the conscious effort to actually learn so the cycle stops repeating. I also know some people are just nasty in general and their words and actions have absolutely nothing to do with us. So why lash back?
God’s words are the important words…for they have endured and will forever. Focus on that. Focus only on love filled words.
God I pray that You guide me to speak only life giving words to others. Help me let go of the need to be right. Help me let go of the negative feelings that can be stirred up inside of me when dealing with other people who are trying to find their own words. Help me to speak only Your words. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Blessings,
Stacey ~ iamalive41
“Let us speak Your words
More than ours, more than ever
Let us share Your love with all the world”