There was an old saying that we used to hear on the playground when we were kids and someone teased us or said something negative about us and it went like this: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”
It was a sort of defense that was used to help us save face or deflect the criticism. But it really wasn’t so, because words do hurt. They are very powerful and can make lifelong enemies, create immediate confrontations or make friends and close relationships. It is the words we choose in life’s moments that can make all the difference. This brings to mind that poem about words: “Have a care with yours words, my children, for words they are powerful things; they are sweet as the bee’s sweet honey, but like the bees they have terrible stings”.
The Bible also has some advice on the subject. It reminds us in 1st Peter 3:10-11, “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.”
Many people are carrying heavy burdens in this life and we could all use an encouraging word.
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