HONEY WORDS

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

 

...may the words of my mouth…be always pure and pleasing…

Psalm 19:14 (TPT)

 

Steven Maraboli asked the question in his book “Life the Truth and Being Free”, “How would your life be different if…You walked away from...verbal defamation?

 

Think about that for a second.

 

He goes on to give us a little encouragement for today by saying,

“Let today be the day…You speak only the good you know of other people and encourage others to do the same.”

 

Speak GOOD of others. 

Encourage others to do the same.

Let the words of our mouths be PLEASING!

 

Our words have the POTENTIAL to be life-giving rather than life-taking. Remember:

Kind words are like honey—enjoyable and healthful. Proverbs 16:24 (TLB)

 

Yet sadly, we live in a time when words that CUT, words that are caustic get the headlines.

That is so unfortunate. And since those words are not PLEASING to the ear of the recipient NOR our HEAVENLY FATHER, why say them?

 

Just yesterday in between events at my son’s swim meet I was chatting with a friend and we were talking about how important ENCOURAGING communities like swim teams were for our young people.  Just to have OTHERS pulling for you to do well so that the TEAM does well.  And our coaches at Xenia have done a great job of creating a culture of affirmation and support; a culture of “good words”.

 

And yet my friend and I had gotten to that topic and observation because we were talking of two young students who had recently taken their lives because of the hurtful words of others.  

Tragically one of our family members not to long ago felt the immeasurable pain of losing their little girl to suicide after incessant bullying; the barrage of painful words.

 

Friends our WORDS matter.

 

Just this past weekend I opened my inbox to a beautifully penned note from one of my colleagues from north eastern Ohio.  It was so affirming, so thoughtful.

It WAS HONEY for my soul.

 

I think you can see where I am going.

Don’t get dragged into the war of words today.

Be caring not condemning!

 

Affirm a co-worker who you have noticed is doing a great job.

Maybe give a call to someone you know is going through a tough time right now.  That call may be just what they need to get through.

Don’t forget “Please and Thank You” are STILL SWEET!

 

The Apostle Paul summed it up this way,

never let ugly or hateful words come from your mouth, but instead let your words become beautiful gifts that encourage others; do this by speaking words of grace to help them. Ephesians 4:29 (TPT)

 

  

Love ya all!

Have a blessed DAY!

OPPORTUNITIES for HOPE