Gracious Words

"Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body                                Proverbs 16:24

How important are our words?  If you grew up similar to how I did you may have heard, "Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me", well this just simply isn't true.  Words can cut us deeper then we realize, and they probably have way more influence in our lives and the people we encounter than we fully comprehend.  Psychologically speaking, hurtful words from a parent, sibling or anyone else from childhood can stick with us our whole lives in suppressed memories and those same feelings can show up later in life as trauma and anxiety.  Biologically, hurtful words can cause rejection and can literally alter our brain function in our medial prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain associated with pain.  So literally speaking words can hurt!  In chapter sixteen of proverbs we are told a lot about our words, mainly in verses 20-28.  We hear things such as, "whoever gives thought to his words will discover good" (16:20); and "the heart of the wise makes his speech judicious" (16:23).  These portions of scripture encourage us to choose our words wisely because we have much to gain.  But, not only do our words have the power to damage us and others physically and mentally, but also the power to do so spiritually.  Jesus tells us, "I tell you, on the day of judgement people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned" (Matt. 12:36-37).  Words are a big deal, not just to us right here right now, but our words have the power to really damage someone's life, and the power to condemn ours.  We ought to be wise and careful to how we are choosing our words.  One big way to safe guard this, is to be patient in our speech.  When we can slow down and take time to process, we can be wiser to choose the words we say and don't say.  Today, take inventory of how you talk to people.  I find in my own life it is usually those closest to me that I tend to be the most ill-mannered in my speech.  Often the ones I love most, that I talk to the worst.  Pray and ask the Lord to guide your speech today in wisdom and in patience!  He promises a reward of goodness, sweetness to the soul, and health for your body when you do so!  Love you all!  Praying for you and yours!  Have a blessed day, it's your choice!