Speak life...

by Debi Baker

"²¹ What you say can mean life or death.
    Those who speak with care will be rewarded."

Proverbs 18:21 NCV

Did your mother ever tell you that if you don't have something nice to say not to say anything at all?  That is probably one of the best pieces of advice ever given.  Why?  Because every word out of our mouth has the potential to hurt or heal.  

We live in a society that is typically very negative.  If you spend some time just sitting on a bench in a park or a mall and listen to people as they walk by, it is likely that the majority of conversation bits you hear will be negative statements.  Each time we open our mouth, we need to take care to bring forth life.  There is something beautiful in every human being.  There is something beautiful in each piece of nature.  

I have started trying to 'speak life' every time I open my mouth.  Oh, I fail...but I have asked God to help me be more aware of the words I speak BEFORE I speak them.  If we will just take a moment to 'think' before we let the words fly, we would find that the words would be kinder and gentler coming out.  

See, when we let the words fly out of our mouth we can NEVER take them back.  Once they are out there...they are out there.  It's like trying to put the toothpaste back into the tube once you squeeze it out.  It is impossible to do.  When we speak hurtful words, we can apologize BUT those words will forever resonate in the ears of the one hurt!

Speak life...you won't be sorry!