Say it at the Right Time!

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver."

Proverbs 25:11

The words we say have a lot of power to them.  I know that most of us grew up hearing 'sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me'.  Well, that is just flat out a lie if we are honest with ourselves.  I can remember hurtful things my father said from 25 years ago before he left my family.  I can bet that it wouldn't take much effort at all for you to think of some hurtful words people have said to you either.  The point is, there is a lot of power in the words we use, and the Bible gives us specific godly instruction as to how we are to use our words.  In a few previous chapters of Proverbs in 18, verse 21, God says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit."  Even more to our words, is not just the words we use but how we use them.  The scripture above tells us that a word when it is fitly spoken is like fine jewelry.  Otherwise, this means, that the timing of what we say and how we say it matters, this verse says it can be the most beautiful thing ever when fitly spoken.  How often do you say the right thing, but at the wrong time?  As a man in recovery, this pandemic has caused some close friends to relapse.  Now the right thing to say is to figure out getting more help, but at first, my friend may just need me to be compassionate, patient, and caring in my words first, not offering any advice, but just a caring and listening ear.  Now my advice may be right, but it isn't the fitly spoken word this scripture is talking about.  How many times do we take into consideration when we are saying something?  This would require a bit of humility to try to understand how what we say may effect the other person, given what circumstance they may be in.  Today, not only evaluate the words you use, but when you are using them.  It is possible to say the right things, but at the wrong times.  Be patient, be humble, and take the other people you are saying things to into consideration.  On the flip side of this, how sweet is it when somebody tells you the exact right thing, at the exact right time!  It is like the fine jewelry that this verse speaks of, it can be such a beautiful situation, that turns your whole mood around.  Pray and ask the Lord to give you patience and gentleness to speak the right words at the right time!  Love you all!  Praying for you and yours!  Have a blessed day, it's your choice!