Subject: A Thought of the Week (Grow Our Hearts to Shrink Our Tongues) from Brother Michael - 11/18/13
November 18, 2013
Brother,
I hope and pray all is well with you and your family.
“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” - James 1:19
Thank you, yes ma’am, you’re beautiful, I love you, all powerful words that can bless, soothe, inspire, and encourage. Get away, you’re fired, shut up, I hate you , words that can isolate, demoralize, and devastate.
Words are fine tools. Some help relationships and connections to flourish. But words can also be heat-seeking weapons, deftly defending our psyche and attacking those who threaten our - me-first kingdom. The world has come to applaud and exalt quick-witted retorts. Just look at a good comedian’s shtick. My own need to be in control, to be the expert, to show my competence, or to cover my vulnerability fueled my mastery of the quick, sarcastic, sharp, verbal attack.
We need to realize that when we use words to damage others, we are actually damaging ourselves as well. These wounds can be important elements of who we were: our self-respect, self-esteem, honor, dignity, relationships, brain chemistry, connection to God and they were all injured and damaged. This common but damaging phenomenon is evident whenever we use words reflexively as self-protective maneuvers. But they are actually self-destructive word grenades.
Another downside of using verbal attacks as a counter-offensive is that it interferes with our opportunity to learn, practice, and hone much healthier methods to deal with the perceived attacks. You see, God has other ways that are more effective than our knee-jerk word grenades. But we will never get a chance to learn and develop them if we keep resorting to our poor defense tactics.
The Word of God gives us helpful instruction about our speech, and how to develop healthy new skills. What comes out of our mouths is really a reflection of what is going on in our hearts. So in order to modify our word usage, we need to work on our hearts. God can certainly work on our hearts. Our swearing, that probably was part of our growing up and our verbal attacks can markedly and should be decreased. But we all still have work to do. But as we let God in more, the temptation and need to protect ourselves by hurling word grenades are minimized. We need to be resting in His defense of us and allowing Him to soothe us.
Today, how about we let our speech come under the control of the Holy Spirit? Say split-second prayers before we respond. Think before we speak, not as we speak. Use our words to lift up someone, to heal instead of hurt. As our positive speech patterns replace our negative ones, the increased joy and peace in our relationships will simply amaze us. How about we consider forwarding this devotional to thank someone who has extended grace to us with his or her words? I pray that before we speak quickly, that we hold our tongues and think (and pray) of a Godly response each and every time BEFORE we talk to another Brother, family member, friend, co-worker, or neighbor.
Let us pray, Dear Father God, Thank You for the awesome gift of speech. We confess, Father that we have misused this gift, we confess, Father, that we have used our mouth and mind to hurt others. Forgive us. We pray that You fill us with Your Holy Spirit so that we may have the discipline to think before we speak. We want to feel comfortable, secure in who we are and not needing to gossip or go on a verbal attack to make ourselves feel better. Grow our hearts so we can shrink our tongues. Help us pray before answering the phone and before responding to others in conversation. Let others see You in us through the words we speak. We pray all this in Your Holy and Precious Name – AMEN.
Have a great and BLESSED week.
Remember I am here for you in thought, prayer and action – 24x7.
STAY STRONG!
Love-Your Brother & Friend in Christ,
Michael
(484)431-9336 (Home & Cell)
(484)595-9744 (Work
