"Wise words satisfy like a good meal;
the right words bring satisfaction.
The tongue can bring death or life;
those who love to talk will reap the consequences."
-Proverbs 18:20-21
Our words can kill or nourish life. Today, pay attention to your words. Use them judiciously. Imagine they are coins. Don't toss them away. Invest them wisely and reap the rewards.
-Encouraging Words: Your Daily Devotion
This was such a powerful message for me. I don't know about y'all...but I have a problem running my mouth sometimes. I can't help but gossip and always tend to say exactly what I think whether it's appropriate or not. More times than not, I find myself looking back on a conversation I had and wishing I hadn't said half of the things I said. Sometimes we don't stop and think about the damage just a few words could do. Let's all concentrate and think very hard about what we are going to say before we say it from now on. Not only will we feel better about what we say, but I'm sure others will feel better about it too. :)
"Lord, help me keep my big mouth shut" has been a prayer of mine for decades. I do get better at this with age . . . I am more often satisfied to sit quietly and let my thoughts "gel" before I speak . . . when I don't find the "right" words to say what I mean, I've usually forgotten what I'm trying to say anyway. Seriously, one has to forfeit self to speak wisely. When I am unconcerned with "me-me-me", I am more apt to find the perfect thing to say.
ReplyDeleteI did a post about "thinking before you speak" recently! I do the same thing, thinking back on things I've said :(
ReplyDeleteI always consider myself one honest freak. I say whatever is in my mind, all the good and the bad. For some reason, I cannot really "contain" my feelings and emotions. Sometimes that can be good (mostly for my physical and mental health), and sometimes my words can be hurtful. All I can say is that by the end of the day I don't really have much of anything to hide. My way of being can be a little touchy in the blogsphere. I've learned to only leave good comments. If I don't like something I see, I don't leave comments at all.
ReplyDeleteHa! That is so funny because I have a similar post as well. It must be a common problem. :)
ReplyDeletegreat great great great great post!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful advice! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great post! It will make me think more about what I say, before I say it. :)
ReplyDeleteI have such a problem with this...I often speak first and then think! My mom always said that "sorry doesn't take away the pain..." It's so true too, apologies are nice but it still doesn't erase unkind words! I try to think about what I say, but for me sometimes it's easier said than done!
ReplyDeleteGood post...I can always use a reminder!
I can so relate to this. I think the person who I run my mouth off to most often is my husband. He's the person I'm supposed to love and cherish the most on this earth and he seems to get the brunt of my bad moods! Thanks for your gentle reminder to watch what we say. Words are so powerful and can be more hurtful than almost anything.
ReplyDeleteThis post was exactly what I needed to be reminded of today. It's so true that words can be incredibly hurtful and stick with us long after the person who said them isn't in our lives. I need to remember than and choose mine wisely. Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteHope you had a great weekend.
xo
Valerie
I almost said something I shouldn't have but luckily my phone cut off. I thanked the Lord for that.
ReplyDeleteUm, why did you not come to see me?! ;-)
ReplyDeleteThat is probably my biggest weakness!! I find it so hard sometimes to stop talking when I've been home all day with the kids, and sometimes I just keep going, but I know it's not right to gossip, and I'm often convicted!! I would never want to be talked about behind my back, and I would never want to hurt anyone else!!
ReplyDelete