Heart Reflections: The Powerful Impact of Words
Let no corrupt communication 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
Ouch! This is a hard one at times… I read this verse a few days ago and I have continued to think about it as I plunge into another busy week. Sometimes we forget how powerful of an impact our words have on others. Are we encouraging our family and friends with kind words or we doing damage?
It is hard to be positive and encouraging all the time. Often I find myself regretting the words I spoke immediately after they were said. Speaking poorly about another person does no good and in reality it only makes me look bad. Complaining about the little inconveniences in my life only shows my discontent heart. How I am suppose to be a shining light in a dark world, if my words are just as hurtful or hateful as the next persons?
We are all human. We make mistakes. Things will happen that offend and upset us. It feels natural to get defensive or to lash out against those who hurt us. I find it very difficult to control my words especially when it comes to children (any kids, not just my own). I think part of that is the mothering instinct, however, it is wise to consider our words prior to opening our mouths. At times it may be best to wait to discuss something big after you’ve had time to pray about it and when it is more convenient for all parties involved.
Will you pray with me asking God to give us the words to speak that may be good for building up and give grace to those who hear? Let’s try with God’s help to be positive, encouraging, and speak kindly. We don’t know what is going on in the hearts and lives of those around us but if we can control our tongue we may have more opportunities to be a blessing and make a positive impact on the life of someone else.
Heart Reflections: How do they do it?
How do kids wear their clothes on backwards and not even notice it? As an adult I would be so uncomfortable…..if I accidentally put my shirt on backwards it drives me nuts until was fixed. When the girls were younger they would go an entire day at school with their shirt or pants on backwards and it didn’t bother them (even after several requests from me to correct the clothing). They didn’t have the extra motivation to switch it around because they really didn’t mind it being backwards. It was rather hilarious seeing slipper slide marks and grass stains when they were going through the wash since they had worn them backwards all day.
Recently I re-read a book that I had read many years ago. When I read it years ago I loved the book. I still enjoyed the book but there were pieces that stood out to me much more this time around, not necessarily because I missed it the first time around but because of the journey my life has taken the emotions the people in the book feel more real.
I noticed those one or two sentences in the book where someone expressed sadness because they could not have children. Read my Loosening My Grip: Why Can’t I Get Pregnant series if you want to learn about our story. I was disappointed and even sad when the characters in the book faced other hardships similar to those trials that I have gone through. Many years ago when I first read this book it didn’t bother me because I didn’t have such a personal connection to what the people were going through.
Now after all these years and many trials later it is more emotional to read the story. Much like the girls when they were younger wearing their clothes inside out, it really didn’t bother them too much because they really didn’t know what it was suppose to feel like. Over time they learned that wearing clothes backwards was uncomfortable much like those trials we go through that much us uncomfortable.
Maybe….just….maybe God has us go through certain situations that make us uncomfortable so later when we encounter another person going through a similar trial we can be an encouragement to them. We can cheer them on, share our story, and be a blessing to them during a hard time. Isn’t that what life’s about anyway? Using our gifts, talents, and what we have learned to make a positive impact on the lives of people around us. Is there someone in your life that you can be an encouragement to today?
