Sitting in church today, I realized that I have slacked on my "there is more to it" blogging. I am still sure that no one even reads these, but I know that as I write, I am processing all that God is teaching me, and I am spending some very valuable time with Jesus.
Before I even begin, I have to celebrate how good God was today. My aunt and cousin woke up this morning and were going to be late to their church in Augusta. They realized that though they'd be late there, they could make it on time to the second NewSpring service, so they made a spontaneous trip to Columbia. During the service, my eleven year old cousin made the decision to get baptized! After the service, she took the plunge and publicly professed her faith in Jesus Christ! I was SO proud of her, and I'm anticipating what Jesus is going to be able to accomplish through her. I was then able to spend the BEAUTIFUL afternoon celebrating God's goodness with family. It was magical.
Now, for the blog...(two weeks late, I may add.) The week before last I was reading Radiant (yes, I'm still not done), and I really started thinking about how hurtful and damaging words can be. Simple little words - when strung together in a certain way - can really turn a life upside down. I decided, though I'd chosen this topic before, to talk with my students about the power of the tongue. Here is the rest of the story...
Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me. Have you ever heard that one before? Do you believe it? Well, I can say from experience that sometimes that saying just doesn’t feel true.
I think we have all at some point in our lives either said something that hurt someone else or had someone say something to us that was hurtful. Sometimes those words are intentional and sometimes they aren’t, but no matter what, they cause damage. The tongue is a powerful weapon that can be used for both good and bad. Proverbs 18:21 even says, "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit."
This week I’ve been thinking a lot about the words that I use and the words that others use toward me. I’ve decided that I agree with Marian Jordan in that one thing reigns true no matter what – hurt people hurt people. It is so important to never forget that behind an unkind word is someone who is hurting inside. While it may be difficult to hear and even more difficult to forgive, it’s often those who hurt us who need more love than anyone else. Luke 6:35-38 says,
"But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
However, it is important to also remember to be kind and considerate toward others even when our own lives may be a little (or a lot) sad. We often say things we don’t mean when we are angry or upset. When words are few, however, regret is absent. I encourage you to think before you speak. If you have trouble doing that, here are a few questions I've borrowed from Marian Jordan to share with you so that you can check yourself before you speak: Are my words true? Are my words necessary? Are my words beneficial? If you can’t answer yes to all of those questions, whatever is on your mind probably shouldn’t be spoken out loud.
This week, remember that those who hurt you are oftentimes only lashing out because they are hurting as well. Remember also that it is easy to become the one who lashes out. Think before you speak, and remember always to be a source of encouragement to those around you.
"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness." - Hebrews 3:13
Before I even begin, I have to celebrate how good God was today. My aunt and cousin woke up this morning and were going to be late to their church in Augusta. They realized that though they'd be late there, they could make it on time to the second NewSpring service, so they made a spontaneous trip to Columbia. During the service, my eleven year old cousin made the decision to get baptized! After the service, she took the plunge and publicly professed her faith in Jesus Christ! I was SO proud of her, and I'm anticipating what Jesus is going to be able to accomplish through her. I was then able to spend the BEAUTIFUL afternoon celebrating God's goodness with family. It was magical.
Now, for the blog...(two weeks late, I may add.) The week before last I was reading Radiant (yes, I'm still not done), and I really started thinking about how hurtful and damaging words can be. Simple little words - when strung together in a certain way - can really turn a life upside down. I decided, though I'd chosen this topic before, to talk with my students about the power of the tongue. Here is the rest of the story...
Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me. Have you ever heard that one before? Do you believe it? Well, I can say from experience that sometimes that saying just doesn’t feel true.
I think we have all at some point in our lives either said something that hurt someone else or had someone say something to us that was hurtful. Sometimes those words are intentional and sometimes they aren’t, but no matter what, they cause damage. The tongue is a powerful weapon that can be used for both good and bad. Proverbs 18:21 even says, "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit."
This week I’ve been thinking a lot about the words that I use and the words that others use toward me. I’ve decided that I agree with Marian Jordan in that one thing reigns true no matter what – hurt people hurt people. It is so important to never forget that behind an unkind word is someone who is hurting inside. While it may be difficult to hear and even more difficult to forgive, it’s often those who hurt us who need more love than anyone else. Luke 6:35-38 says,
"But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
However, it is important to also remember to be kind and considerate toward others even when our own lives may be a little (or a lot) sad. We often say things we don’t mean when we are angry or upset. When words are few, however, regret is absent. I encourage you to think before you speak. If you have trouble doing that, here are a few questions I've borrowed from Marian Jordan to share with you so that you can check yourself before you speak: Are my words true? Are my words necessary? Are my words beneficial? If you can’t answer yes to all of those questions, whatever is on your mind probably shouldn’t be spoken out loud.
This week, remember that those who hurt you are oftentimes only lashing out because they are hurting as well. Remember also that it is easy to become the one who lashes out. Think before you speak, and remember always to be a source of encouragement to those around you.
"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness." - Hebrews 3:13
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