Today’s word of the day is inspired from Rick Warren‘s daily devotional. It’s about the words we use and how we use them. Instead of shutting people down wouldn’t you rather be building them up? If what we say is what we mean, shouldn’t we be careful as to not let our mouths take control of our thoughts. Not everything we say is wholesome.
We think thoughts but some of these thoughts are better left inside. If we say whatever is our mind and we are foolishly speaking out we might hurt another’s feelings or worse, permanently damage a relationship. If you tend to speak before thinking consider these suggestions from Pastor Warren.
“Here’s how to build instead of destroying with your words:
1) Stop excusing — Stop saying, “I didn’t really mean to say that.” Realize that what you say impacts everyone around you.
2) Talk less — If it’s a power tool, you don’t have to use it as much. One of the reasons we get in trouble is we just talk too much sometimes.
3) Listen more — If I listen more, I can understand people’s needs.
4) Start building — Think first of all, “What do they need?” How can I use a word of encouragement to build them up? How can I use a word of challenge to make a difference in someone’s life? How can I use my words to build up the people I love the most?”
If you want to be a better friend or improve your relationships, it might be wise to start with the words you choose.
We don’t realize the impact we have on others and sometimes words can be like daggers, cutting into the heart and piercing deep wounds. How many times have you felt the sting of rejection? Did it come from someone else’s words? Or perhaps they said nothing at all and instead made you feel unwelcome.
In Lewis Carroll’s book, “Alice Through the Looking Glass”, Alice is talking to Humpty Dumpty. You know the story, “Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall…”
In their conversation, the riddle of words is a conversation piece. Alice is confused by Humpty’s choice of words. In this quote, we see Lewis Carroll playfully woven into this masterpiece the question of the words we choose.
“When I use a word,” Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, “it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.”
“The question is,” said Alice, “whether you can make words mean so many different things.”
“The question is,” said Humpty Dumpty, “which is to be master – – that’s all.”
There is power in the words we choose, so wouldn’t it be wiser to choose encouraging and affirming words?
Words mean what they say they mean; nothing more, nothing less.
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