Thought for Friday, November 9th

November 9, 2012

Words That Need Not Be Spoken

“Sharp words make more wounds than surgeons can heal.”

-       Anonymous

   Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Ephesians 4:29

Words are often like water: they run and drip: they puddle and accumulate into pools: but unlike water, seldom do they evaporate.

And often it seems the more hurtful, divisive and unkind those words are the greater their longevity and endurance.

Words are so easy to use, and since in our economy they seem to be the only thing that is cheap (after all aren’t words a dime a dozen) it seems we take for granted the power they posses.

We often say that actions speak louder than words; and while this is true: often words, especially hurtful words last longer.

Actions often require repetition or some since of continuance: while an unkindly word spoken, need only to be said once for it to make an impression and if it is spoken more than once it often has a devastating impact.

Corrective words; words of instruction and words of admonition are often needful, yet when we do have opportunity to have need to employ them, we must be selective in not only which ones we choose to use, but also the tone and tenor in which we use them.

Sometimes I think in our attempt to love each other; especially in Christian love: we often do more to abuse, hurt and injure: than we ever do to build up, encourage and help.

Words are a wonderful thing.  Words make communication possible with greater ease: and this wealth of power that they bring to us must be handled with care.  Great power brings great responsibility and we need to always keep that in mind when it comes to our words and how we use them.  And in so doing we will find there are some words that need not be spoken.

Today’s Prayer

Father, there are many times I do not say what I think to say for I feel that there would be no good purpose: yet far too many other times I do not exercise such restraint.  Help me to be more aware of what I say and why I am saying it and what I want those words to accomplish for you.

“There is a candle in every soul

Some brightly burning, some dark and cold

There is a Spirit, who brings a fire

Ignites a candle and makes His home.

Frustrated brother see how he’s tired to

light his own candle some other way.

See now your sister she’s been robbed and lied to

Still holds a candle without a flame.

So carry your candle, run to the darkness

Seek out the lonely, the tired and worn.

Hold out your candle for all to see it,

Take your candle, go light your world.“

-  Lyrics from ‘Go Light Your World’ by Chris Rice