Two friends, Hannah and Jess, were talking on the phone. Jess was telling Hannah how much pain she was in. Hannah asked whether Jess had spoken to her doctor and Jess replied that she hadn’t. Hannah then asked Jess if she thought she should as she was in so much pain. Jess replied that yes, perhaps she should. The conversation ended and Hannah didn’t hear anything for a few days. Then she heard that Jess was in hospital. Jess said that Hannah had saved her life. Hannah didn’t think that she’d done anything. She’d only asked Jess if she’d spoken to her doctor and indirectly suggested that perhaps she should. That suggestion had given Jess the reassurance and confidence she needed to speak to a doctor, leading her to be taken in to hospital early enough for her life to be saved.
While talking on the phone, Esther told Beth about the posies to be given out on mothers day. Not realising this was going to happen, Beth told Esther she probably wouldn’t be there. Esther offered to save a posy for Beth. Beth told her friend thank you, but she’d prefer not to have a posy. Esther asked why and suggested Beth pass it on to someone else. Beth tried to explain why she would find that difficult. Beth is not a mother and has always known she wanted to be one. When she told Esther that having a posy to pass on would make her feel even worse, as if she’s not good enough to be a mother, Esther told her that was ridiculous. Beth continued to try to explain that she doesn’t expect people to understand, only accept that’s how she feels, but Esther was having none of it.
I have changed the names in both stories, but the words spoken by each person are accurate to events which happened within days of one another.
Hannah’s support, concern and gentle encouragement enabled Jess to do what she needed in order for her life to be saved. Hannah’s words strengthened and encouraged Jess.
Esther’s words hurt Beth and made her feel even worse than she already did. Esther didn’t know that Beth had applied and been refused to adopt a child. Esther’s words only served to make Beth feel alone and inadequate.
We don’t know how each and every word we speak affects those to whom we speak them. Our words can encourage, or they can destroy.
God’s Word tells us how much power the tongue has. On our own the tongue can be very difficult to control, but the Holy Spirit is always there to guide us and help us control our words and how we speak them.
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.
[Ephesians 4: 29 NIV]
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.
[Proverbs 21: 23 NIV]
The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
[Proverbs 12: 18 NIV]
I pray that the words I speak will be guided and directed by Jesus. Words to encourage and show love to others. Never words to destroy.
I loved this article. The stories were so obviously real. I especially related to the story re hanner and Jes as the pain story was so real.
Thanks, what a good and encouraging article.
Yes we do need God’s guidance when we speak. He tells us when to speak and when to be silent. But at times we are guilty of not listening. X