Endurance for the Journey, Featured, Relationships
The Power of Words
Well-spoken words bring satisfaction …
PROVERBS 12:14 (THE MESSAGE)
“Nothing is easier than to make sounds in the form of words;
nothing is more difficult than to make those words
express truth and love. Those words, when they’re spoken, are well spoken.
And they bring both satisfaction to the
speaker and salvation to the hearer.”
Eugene Petersen
Words are powerful!They can either build one up or tear them down. Words can encourage you or discourage you. They either express love or hurt! Words can deceive or be honest and truthful. But said without love can destroy! Words can form opinions that quite frankly, often times, don’t want to be heard. Maybe that’s why we understand from reading the book of Job, that the best encouragement Job received from his friends was when they were silent. At times silence really can be golden!
Why do I bring up words and their power? It’s because this is my struggle. Over the years I have used words that have hurt others, especially the ones I love the most! I don’t want to do that! I’ve given my opinion when it wasn’t asked for. And if I’m going to be honest, I paid less attention to what was being said and more attention to what I wanted to say. I don’t want to do that!
And yet, why do I do that? Is it because of my own insecurities that I feel the need to be heard? I’ve been talking to God a lot about this lately. I’m feeling deeply convicted about this struggle in my life. I want my words to build up not tear down. I want to show respect by actually listening to one speak and try to understand what they are saying. Go figure, I might just learn something if I can listen well!
This is a part of the faith journey I find myself on and I’m so grateful for the grace God pours all over my struggle in this area. After all, He knows it better than I do and I’m just so thankful I am a work in process and He’s the one transforming my heart!
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths,
but only such as is good for building up,
as fits the occasion,
that it may give grace to those who hear.
Ephesians 4:29 (ESV)
On the journey with you,
Dave Dravecky
