It's been so long since I've taken the time to write, but I was compelled to do so this morning. As I read the daily devotional from Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young, I was reminded of how a simple truth, taken to heart, can absolutely change your life.
Funny thing is that the last blog post, which was almost a year ago, was about a simple truth that has revolutionized my life. No longer do I waste time looking for lost or misplaced things--I just pray Mark 4:22 and God helps me find them quickly. HUGE time and sanity saver!
So, today's entry reads as follows:
"WATCH YOUR WORDS DILIGENTLY. Words have such great power to bless or to wound. When you speak carelessly or negatively, you damage others as well as yourself. This ability to verbalize is an awesome privilege, granted only to those I created in my image. You need help in wielding this mighty power responsibly.
Though the world applauds quick-witted retorts, My instructions about communications are quite different: Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. Ask My Spirit to help you whenever you speak. I have trained you to pray-'Help me, Holy Spirit'- before answering the phone, and you have seen the benefits of this discipline. Simply apply the same discipline to communicating with people around you. If they are silent, pray before speaking to them. If they are talking, pray before responding. These are split-second prayers, but they put you in touch with My Presence. In this way, your speaking comes under the control of My Spirit. As positive speech patterns replace your negative ones, the increase in your Joy will amaze you."In the kid version of this book, she quotes the saying "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me," and acknowledges that this is not true. Words have the power to leave a much deeper scar that can last a lifetime, or an encouraging echo that continues beyond.
When I think about the effect of words, I often think of my father. I was a 'daddy's girl,' and I love that my girl is too. While growing up, Dad used his words to guide and correct me, of course, but also to build me up. All along, anytime I thought I could possibly do something, he not only told me I could, but made me think I'd be the best in the world. He was a podiatrist, and over the years I worked in his office. Whenever he was with his patients, you could always hear him telling them about the accomplishments of his children. They may have been retold with the embellishments of 'fish stories,' but oh what it did for a daughter's heart to hear her father esteem her before his friends and colleagues. He's been gone for 17 years, but his encouragement echoes in my heart still.
So often now, comments & responses are given in "quick-witted retorts," as Sarah Young wrote. Sometimes they can seem clever, but a lot of the time they have a bit of a barb to them, intentional or not. I've noticed that there are now so many remarks that come in the form of a question, rather than a statement. For example, if someone did not like the way you were handling something, instead of saying something like, "If you don't mind, I'd prefer that it be done this way," they might say, "Do you really think that's a good way to do it?" The first makes a correction...the second implies much more & is often accompanied by a sarcastic or cynical tone.
I caught myself doing this not long ago and it gave me pause. Correction is necessary and is actually welcome a lot of the time. When I work with or serve someone, I want to do so in a way that would bless them. If there is a better way to accomplish something, I truly want to know. When my daughter does something incorrectly or misbehaves, she is much more likely to embrace the correction if my words are chosen wisely and my tone is one of correction, as opposed to criticism.
Right now in America there are so many words being printed, posted, shared and even shouted. From social issues to political issues, voices are crying out to be heard. May those that love the Lord and are called according to His purpose take a moment to invite Him to filter our words so that we can accurately express the heart of the Father. Whether it is in our own home with our families, on public platforms, or through all the other avenues available today, 'May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, our strength and our redeemer.' (Psalm 19:14)
Just as a simple prayer using a scripture has brought hidden things to light, and consequently made my everyday life so much easier, so can a quick request of the Lord to help us before we speak transform our every moment into ones filled with Grace and Peace.
"So then, my brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God." James 1:19
"A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered." Proverbs 17:27
May you be blessed~
