I feel like this goes without saying, and yet, it needs to be said.

 

Words have power. 

 

That tiny instrument that is your tongue can be a mighty sword, and you must decide if you will wield it to bless or to curse.

 

I heard it once said that words are like toothpaste, once it’s out you can’t get it back in. Sure, you can say you’re sorry and be forgiven, but those hate filled words are lodged in the other person’s side as certainly as a spear…or dagger…or sword. Why use an axe to split a hair?

 

Why is it so hard to hold our tongue? Do we really want to inflict pain on someone else, or are we acting out from a deep place of hurt and rejection, an, “I’m going to hurt you before you can hurt me” kind of thinking. We all lose when we take that approach.

 

We’ve all been hurt, and we all have our protective walls.

 

My son says it’s like a porcupine, all quills on the outside to keep people at bay, and you can even roll up when it’s all just too much, but really, on the inside we’re all mush.

 

Who are you really without the quills (swords) pointed at everyone else? What if in spite of your hurt, in place of your wound, you speak life into another and by doing so bring a little life back into your heart?

 

I can hear you now.  But, what if they don’t deserve it?

 

Do you?

 

Have you ever had anyone extend you kindness when you don’t deserve it…how did that make you feel? Have you ever extended a kind word, a smile, or gesture to someone else? How did that make you feel?

 

Be careful little eyes what you see. Be careful little ears what you hear. Be careful little mouths what you say. A children’s bible song which serves as a much needed reminder to all of us.

 

Life and death is in the tongue.

 

Speak life today!