Choose Life

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”  Who remembers that saying?  I’m sure some of you may not have never heard it.  This was a proverb recited when someone said something to or about us that wasn’t so nice.  Although, “…words will never hurt me”, was a part of that phrase, often times that was not true. 

Because, as we all know, there are times when words do hurt.  No, words do not kill literally; however, they can kill a person’s spirit, joy, peace, dreams and more.  Proverbs 18:21 in the Message Bible reads, “Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit – you choose.”

Personally, I know because there was a time when I allowed my words to kill and harm those around me.  But God has helped me in that area tremendously!  But I had to ask Him to help me.  No, I am still not perfect in that area, He’s still helping me.  Remember, I had to ask Him to help me.

As a result, anytime I realize, or it is brought to my attention, that my words have hurt someone, I do not have a problem apologizing.  Now I try to choose my words carefully, even when I am upset.  If you are having challenges with how to use your words, God can even help you with that!

Proverbs 15:4 in the Message Bible reads, “Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim.”  The King James Version of Proverbs 16:24 reads, “Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”   And lastly, Proverbs 15:1 in the Message Bible reads, “A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire.” 

I don’t know about you, but my desire is that my words give life, heal, help, encourage and calm.  Let’s face it, there will be situations and people that sometimes upset us.  None of us are exempt from the challenges of life.  With that being said, it is up to us to choose, with the help of the Lord, how to handle those situations.

Especially, in the time we are living in today; people need to be encouraged and built up, not torn down.  So, when it comes to our words, let’s choose to give life through the words that we speak.