It was a Sunday morning; a rushing, frustrating, kids can’t find their shoes, someone is fighting with someone, we are running late AGAIN type of morning. You know, the usual Sunday morning, at least in our home. It can be any other day of the week and I can easily and quickly get everyone dressed and out the door with seemingly little to no problems, but Sundays? Never. It’s a battle every. single. week. I know it’s spiritual warfare but that doesn’t make it any easier. Once I’m there, it’s the best morning of my week. I love seeing people, worshipping, serving, and sitting at Jesus’ feet. Regardless, this particular Sunday was a really bad morning. I was hanging on by a thread. “Just get to church.” I was on a mission. I DESPERATELY needed Jesus that morning. We were late and as I was walking up to the sanctuary, someone made a joke about how late I was. I smiled and said some witty comment back, but it took every single thing inside to not break down and sob hysterically. “You have no idea what it took me to get here this morning,” was what I was thinking. It was just a joke. They meant no harm whatsoever, but their words shook me to my core. It got me thinking though, how many times have I spoken words, without knowing, it just broke the heart of the person receiving them?
Words have power. Out of my mouth I can pray for someone needing intercession, encourage a friend who is having a hard time, give a stranger a compliment, yet talk disrespectful to my husband, mumble rude things under my breath, and yell at my children out of anger. All words. Proverbs 12:6 speaks to this,
“The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush, but the words of the godly save lives.” (NLT)
As a follower of Christ, we have the greatest life-giving source to help guide our life here on this earth: God’s Word. Every page is filled with the Holy Spirit’s words breathing life into our dying souls. When I am discouraged, it comforts me. When I need exhortation, it never fails me. When I need direction, it provides it ever so clearly. Everything I could ever need in life, is written in the words on the pages found in that book. With such a sacred and holy gift, why do I not use it more? Why doesn’t every fiber in my being want to shout what it says from the rooftops to this lost and dying world? Do I really believe the words the Lord spoke?
The Lord has been challenging me ever since that Sunday morning to be more conscious of the words I speak. Not necessarily just the bad things I tend to focus on, but more of the good. When I tell someone I’ll pray for them, why not pray with them? When I spend time with a friend and leave feeling so full, instead of just feeling it, tell them how much they mean to me. When I’m watching the sun set as I drive, and admire the beauty of the Lord, use that as an opportunity to teach my children about how much God loves them and cares about every detail. When I meet someone that God puts in my path that day or week, share the love of Jesus and the forgiveness He brings.
Matthew 12:34b says, “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” What is my heart filled with? Does the love I have for my Savior just ooze out of every fiber of my being, and every word I speak? John 13:35 says, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” I want so desperately to be known as someone who loves Jesus and loves others well. My heart longs to be that woman with a gentle and quiet spirit whose words spring forth life. I’m thankful for Jesus and the words He speaks into my soul, and for grace for the millions of times my words will never measure up. May my gift of speech be used to further the kingdom instead of tear others down.
As Ian MacLaren once wrote, “be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”
By: Sarah Curry