The last four days I have had one of the worst Canker Sores of my life. It is under my tongue and the size of the Grand Canyon. In the beginning it was just annoying but the last couple days it has hurt so bad when I talk or eat that I start to get hot flashes (small fevers) when I talk too much! It has really cut down on how much I talk, which is probably a good thing if you ask my husband! :)
However it got me to thinking...do we all talk too much. I have had to carefully consider everytime I talked if it was important enough to warrant some pain. Usually I decided not to say anything. It makes me think about how much of my everyday life is filled with mindless chatter. How much of what I say is uplifting, encouraging, teaching, or motivating? If there is one thing that many people would wish that they could take back, it would be something hurtful they said. We remember the negative so much longer than the positive that it is good to remember that those words you speak, once they are out, they cannot be taken back. For that reason alone, we should watch our words. Carefully consider every thing we say to see if it is honoring to God.
Ephesians 4:29 says, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
My prayer is that once my mouth is healed I will use the same discretion in watching my words to see that they not only honor God but are benefiting those who are listening.
This is a good word for me too. My words may not be bad, but my tone is. I'm asking God to change this in me. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteI think we're all guilty of this from time to time. Isn't it interesting how God uses something like a sore mouth to teach us? :-)
ReplyDeleteI hope it feels better soon, and that you have a Blessed Day!
Great post. I do think we talk to much, or I do. I want my words to be few, and when words are necessary, I want them to only be encouraging. THank you for this reminder.
ReplyDeleteYou're so right we hang on to the negative more than the positive, that's for sure. I am learning (slowly) to think before I speak and I'm learning to not say everything that comes to my mind :) it's hard, but I've begun to see the blessings in being silent! Great post... hope your mouth feels better soon!!
ReplyDeleteI love all of your comments! It is so great to hear that what God is teaching me, He is teaching you all too :) Blessings!! :)
ReplyDelete