Sticks and stones may break the bones, but words pierce the heart.
Today, I've come to realize how powerful words can be. How a simple phrase can change a perspective. How words can cause people to draw closer together, or be torn apart. How one word may be all a person needs to hear to make them smile, or ruin their day.
I remember, before God got a hold of me, I had a horrible mouth. Besides having foul language, I would just spew things out of my mouth without considering how my words affected others. I was so filled pride that even when I knew that my words hurt others, I would justify it in my own mind so I wouldn't have to feel guilty.
Praise God, He has changed alot of things in my heart. Before, I wanted to hurt people, I wanted to get a laugh at someone else's expense. I don't want that anymore. I want every word that comes out of my mouth to be pleasing to God. I want to comfort people with my words. I want to build up others with my words. I want my words to be a blessing. I don't ever want to hurt someone with my words. But it has happened. Someone whom I care for deeply has been hurt by something I said. I didn't think much of it when I said it, and haven't given it a second thought since. Little did I know, this person has been hurting and struggling with this and it was me who caused her to feel this way. She has graciously forgiven me, but I know that the feelings she's had will not go away so easily.
I can't help but look back and wonder how many others have been hurt by my carelessness.
This is my prayer: "Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips." Ps 141:3
I may not be able to go back and ask forgiveness to all those I've hurt, but with God's grace and direction I can be more careful with my words.
I wish it weren't so easy to get carried away and let our thoughts slip through our lips unchallenged. It's so true that the tongue is a hard thing to manage, but with God's help we can always improve. Have a sparkling day!
ReplyDelete