Words that are Kind

I woke up this morning wanting to share an email I received from my mommy-in-law yesterday regarding Brent's job situation. It was just what I needed and did my heart good; we'll talk more about kind words afterward.

Just wanted you to know that I've been thinking and praying for you. I know you have a lot on your plate right now with the condo & Brent's job situation. Just want you to know that it'll all work out and even better yet, it'll work out for the best. God's best! We'll trust God together that one day soon you'll look back on all this and see His mighty hand at work as He places you right where He wants you. You can never truly enjoy the mountain top until you've been down in the valley. Sometimes it's a heck of a hike (like our family camping trip) but in the end you will be so glad you made the trip. Don't lose heart, write it down (testimony later), & praise Him all the way through it. He inhabits the praises of his people.
~Love you, Rose

What a blessing to receive a message like that when I'm full of doubt. Wouldn't you love to receive a letter everyday filled with encouragement? I know I would. Good news! God in His goodness gave us His Word that we can read at any time, over and over, to give comfort to our heart daily. He knows what our hearts long to hear because He created them. As His children, we also have the ability to soothe someone's heart with kind words.

We can easily underestimate the power of our words and their impact upon the hearer. I am reminded from Proverbs 16:24 that "kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Isn't it amazing how a comment, either positive or negative, can make or break your day? It bothers me to think of how I may have inadvertently cast a shadow on someone's spirit with a terse remark or tinge of sarcasm. Likewise, letting someone know that we appreciate them or have prayed for them can give a heartfelt boost to get over a hump. May we seek to edify others daily with words of encouragement, love, and grace.

Using BibleGateway, I did a quick search on "words" which yielded 307 different verses. I have selected a few that detail the qualities of kind versus unkind words.

• Proverbs 10:11, "The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions."
• Proverbs 10:32, "The lips of the godly speak helpful words, but the mouth of the wicked speaks perverse words."
• Proverbs 12:18, "Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing."
• Proverbs 15:4, "Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit."

Life-giving fountain, helpful, healing, tree of life...could these be describing my words? If we are considered to be godly people, then yes! What beautiful imagery these descriptions evoke. I am challenged as a believer when James (2:9-11) writes about our tongues, "Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water?"

Sisters, let's challenge ourselves to have kindness on our lips for this week. Oh, we could call it the "Kindness Campaign" even :) And even when there are times that we have to deliver correction or advice, may our words be sweetened as honey. Best of luck!