You Said What?
Would your rather make someone mad or sad? I’ve certainly had those difficult moments where I wish someone would just yell at me, but instead they are hurt and sad. That’s one of those “I wish I could crawl in a hole and die” kind of moments. Have you ever been there before?
A few weeks back, I was speaking on a Sunday morning about Jesus’ REAL CHURCH. We were beginning to look at Ephesians chapter 4 where Paul tells us how to treat each other in the Church. We are to be humble, gentle, and put up with each other.
To make my point, I proceeded to tell a story to illustrate the “putting up” with each other. (Is any of this ringing a bell?) My illustration was about how my wife, Sherry, was really put off by someone’s comments in the church. As Sherry was nursing one of our babies, a brash church person told Sherry she looked anorexic., and Sherry had to put up with this rude person. (Now you’re remembering this story… right?)
As I told this story and explained how my beautiful, petite, wonderful (I’m still trying to make up for lost ground) wife would lose a lot of weight through nursing, I said, “They (our babies) sucked the meat right off of her.” I didn’t plan that. I hadn’t rehearsed that. I shouldn’t have said that. I have apologized profusely and repeatedly for that.
THAT didn’t really make my wife angry, she was just sad. I wish she would have yelled at me. Instead, she was just a little quiet. Ugh. My careless story telling and unflattering words had grieved my wife, and it cost me dearly on Valentine’s Day!
Did you know we could grieve God? Did you know he has emotions and our actions and words can grieve the Spirit … the third person of God? Why? I believe God is trying to build up those around us He loves. I believe God is always working to draw us closer. Our words, if they are not building someone up, go directly against everything God wants to do in someone’s life. This makes God sad. Grieved. Ugh.
What words will you use today, proactively, that will boost a soul? What can you say today that will enable people around you to soar instead of sigh. God’s emotions will be mirrored by your choice of sarcasm or encouragement. Our tongues are mighty and powerful. They can build up, and the can grieve the very Creator of the universe.
Our tongues are mightly and powerful and it is our choice how we use them – for good or for evil. Many people today are still licking the wounds from scars caused by cutting words. God, help me use my words wisely, to help build up those around me and not tear them down.
Things we do can be forgiven and in most cases forgotten but the words we speak cut like knife into the depts of our souls. I remember the old saying my Mom used to say to me “Sticks and Stone may break our bones but words can never hurt us.” However, words can hurt a lot more than any stick or stone and words live in our hearts and minds much much longer. Love your post!
Someone in the church once told me that words are so powerful that God chose to speak the world into existence. I pray that I recognize their power and consider the words I choose carefully to uplift and encourage.
Thanks, Alan for your message this morning. I admire your openness and honesty with us.
Thanks for this FOA and the reminder to think about my words. I pray my words will always be words of encouragement and words that build people up and not tear them down.