I've been thinking a lot about words lately. Do I use my words to tear down or to build up? "There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." (Prov. 12:18) Rash words are spoken without consideration of how deeply they might cut. They may be forgotten by the speaker but linger as a sharp sting on the hurting. I try to remind myself often that everyone experiences pain and many people are currently right in the middle of a difficult time. What a shame it would be if I added to the burdens of those who are struggling instead of being a kind hand that lifts them up.
When I am hurt, I take solace in Jesus. He has experienced the pain of every sin without fault, which I surely cannot say about myself. How painful it must have been for Him to love people so much that He came to die for them and yet have them speak so harshly against Him. I can imagine their tones as they repeatedly tried to trap Him with their questions. Their haughty eyes as they rejected Him for not being the kind of leader that they wanted. "He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; as one from whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we esteemed Him not." (Isa. 53:3) We were so cruel to Him. And yet, He has been so gracious to us. What a humble Savior we have.
Oh how I desire to be like Him. I want to be kind like He is kind. I want to encourage others the way that He encourages me. I want to build up His body and never tear it down. I want to be a woman of forgiveness and grace. "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." (Ps. 19:14)
"Let no corrupting talk 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. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."(Ephesians 4:29-32)
Let us cling tightly to Jesus, our haven against the stinging rain. And let us be carriers of His forgiveness and grace to all people.
"Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body." (Prov. 16:24)
