From Proverbs 31 Ministries daily devotion:
Reckless Words
Susanne Scheppmann
“A soothing tongue is a tree of life, But perversion in it crushes the spirit.” Proverbs 15:4 (NASB)
Devotion:
“My daughter-in-law is a heathen dog!” stated the woman. She went on for fifteen minutes, berating her son’s wife.
I was standing in the church foyer with a group of women listening to her tirade. This woman had been a Christian for decades. We had all been in Bible study with her over the years. We had watched her sing in the choir. Now we watched in shock as harsh condemnation spilled from her lips against her own family.
She seethed with anger and accusations. Her tongue slashed the reputation of her daughter-in-law. The group stood in silence—we didn’t know the girl. The girl had never come to our church. Perhaps, if this woman had allowed her tongue to follow the advice of Proverbs 12:18, “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing,” this girl might be attending church with her. Instead, she came by herself each week.
With sadness, I stepped away from the circle of women. This brief encounter affected me for the rest of the day. I hurt for the unknown daughter-in-law. I ached for the woman so full of venom that it spewed out uncontrolled.
However, it reminded me to keep watch on my own attitudes and words. I desire for my tongue to be a soothing tree of life. I am going to challenge myself to keep a tight rein on my wayward words. Would you like to join the challenge with me?
Dear Lord, forgive the reckless, hurting words I speak. Teach me the words to encourage others. Allow my speech, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to be a healing balm to those who have been hurt. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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I prayed this today...mainly because I am finding myself falling into this trap recently. Mainly, because I see my husband falling into this trap. He has been so angry about the job situation and about how much money this guy owes him and how this guy had been avoiding him and not being honest...etc. DH is really bitter about it lately, and I hear him saying things about this guy, and honestly, about random people...a lot lately. And honestly, it rubs off on me. I find myself many times joining in with him and belittling someone. It is like an epidemic sometimes.
I have been trying to talk to DH about this...and sometimes he hears me, sometimes he just blows it off and says "I cannot forgive right now, I am still to pe'oed at this guy", or "I am not complaining, I am just telling the truth." Which is often true, but not very christian like.
So, all I can do right now is be an example, and pray for him. I did sense a little "sensitivity" in him last night. I had brought up something about the recycled diapers (G-diapers) and he went off on how much more difficult it would be and why would we spend more money on something that took us more time to do....So I shut up and said I was just making a comment about how they make them and how it might be a nice idea to try them out...I wasn't going to buy stock in them or buy a truckload full of them or anything. A little bit later, he apologized, and said he shouldn't have jumped all over me about it. A little sensitive.
So maybe he is softening up a bit. I hope so...because bitterness and anger do not look good on anyone! Not to mention, they don't build anyone else up either.
7 comments:
That was a good reminder today. I think you are so right. When someone else is belittling someone, it's so easy to chime in with your own thoughts. I find myself doing it all the time and then regretting the things that I said, regardless of if they were true or not. I prayed that prayer too. I haven't spoken about anyone this morning but that's mostly because I haven't had an opportunity to even speak to anyone at all today. I figured it would be better to say the prayer now before words start leaving my mouth later today when I am able to have conversations with others. Good post. :o)
SO very true, thanks for sharing! And you're exactly right, really the only thing you can do is be an example and pray for him.
P.S. Love Miss J's new pics!
So very true!!! I have dealt with this not only with others around me, but at times myself. Lately I have felt myself fall into this trap. You are right - it does not look good on anyone! Thanks for the reminder.
Love the new pictures of adorable Miss J!
What a great post! You always seem to enlighten me some how!
Tell DH that the GDiapers aren't any harder to use and they don't take any long to change than a regular diaper does. I hope you try them and end up liking them!
What a very true story indeed. My DH has a similar work situation recently and it took him a couple days to stop being a meanie at home and realize what he was doing.
As for the G Dipes, they aren't too bad, actually. I use cloth dipes and I love them. If you want any info on them, just let me know!
You are saying what I have been thinking. I have lately been concerned with the words that I am saying. I want my words to always be encouraging. Never tearing down. I will keep you in my thoughts. I know it's going to be hard but so worth it. We can do it!
Great post! DH and I can both be bad when it comes to this and we just had a huge talk about the things we say to each other.
Thanks for the reminder!
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