There is absolutely no doubt, and I mean NO DOUBT, that words affect us. Call someone a name and it sticks. We used to say the old adage to make people think we weren’t affected by their words: “Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me.” The only way I want to respond to that ditty is “Liar, liar, pants on fire.”
Someone has said the average American speaks about 700 times per day. If that sounds high, chop it in half (350). If that still sounds high cut it in half again (175). Face it, there are very few things we do 175 times a day, at least voluntarily. I’m sure I blink or swallow or breath more than 350 times a day but that is all part of God’s magnificent creation called the body.
Harmful words damage relationships and reveal a heart out of tune with Jesus. Physical wounds often heal before emotional wounds. There are words said to us in the past which still haunt us. Our heart flutters and our stomach turns when we hear them or think about them. Proverbs 18:21 says, “The tongue holds the power of life and death.”
This Sunday my question is What about Words? (as if you couldn’t tell). Prayers would be appreciated for this Sunday. Consider this quote by Ben Franklin: “A slip of the foot you may soon recover, but a slip of the tongue you may never get over.” ‘Nuff said.
Looking forward to another compelling sermon this Sunday, Bill!
Blessings!
I hope. 🙂
Sometimes I wonder if it’s better to go mute. Unless of course, you’re going through a Wendy’s drive thru.
Wendy’s no. McDonalds yes. (Go mute that is)
Good morning🌞 this is such a timely reminder for the “time” we are living in. As communication via technology sources has hit a record high I have noted a growing trend in recent months. Many “type” words they would never say out loud to anyone. Online verbal battery and abuse is a constant norm. Gossip has hit an all time high as it is easier then ever to feed into the “gossip giant”. As a result people are being stabbed, and bleeding from emotional wounds. Somehow we need to raise awareness of the danger of the words we speak with our “fingers” as we type and submit online communication 🤷 Blessings. And as always, thanks for your down to earth blogs.
Good morning Crystal! it is so good to hear from you. Thanks for the kind words about the blog. I am convinced emotional wounds are harder to recover from than physical wounds. The emo ones go down deep into the soul. thanks again for stopping by.