When I was a child and someone said something hurtful, I learned to respond with, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” We said that to ease the pain, but it’s so wrong. Names, words, sticks, stones all hurt. Sometimes the words haunt us for decades.
It’s so important to bridle our tongues, to think before we speak. There may even be instances when we need to pray before we speak.
I’m one of those people who always has the perfect response; unfortunately, it’s always several days after the conversation. Maybe that’s a good thing. Maybe that keeps me from saying hurtful things in the heat of the moment.
Can you think of words spoken to you in the past that still hurt you today? I have several. I also have several things that I said to others that I desperately wish I could take back. Once spoken, those words are out there. We can’t take them back, or un-speak them. However, we can learn from them, we can talk about them, and we can ask for forgiveness.
Bible Verse of the Day
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.
James 1:26 ESV
Prayer
Father, please teach us to speak kindly to one another. Guide us to effective communication spoken in love and not out of anger or hate. Father, please heal any wounds we’ve inflicted or endured from past conversations. Remind us and encourage us to give all things up to You. We do not need to hang onto the past, especially when it causes anger, pain, or resentment.
Father, please, please bring peace to Ukraine. Prompt our leaders to come up with a solution. May they effectively communicate with one another and resolve issues instead of causing more death and destruction. We pray these things in Jesus’ precious name. Amen.
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