Heated Moments = Hurtful Words

I have been searching this morning for guidance. As we all do at times, I am faced with Reckless words pierce like a sword,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18

The tongue that brings healing is the tree of life,
but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. Provers 15:4


I have been searching this morning for guidance. As we all do at times, I am faced with conflict and with that I am filled with competing emotions. These emotions are strong and they demand attention, but I must determine if in doing so external action will be necessary or wise.

When I am upset, hurt, torn by the words or actions of someone else the temptation is always there to react. But, that urge to react must be controlled. It has been my experience that it is seldom prudent to speak when angry or emotionally charged no matter what the reason. Often, when I do not hold my tongue, I say things that are hurtful, even if unintentionally so. On numerous occasions I have allowed myself to react to a barb, or jab from the tongue of another and in doing so I inevitably say the wrong thing. It may even be a truth that comes flying from my mouth, but it is something that was better left unsaid.

The Bible, the Word and wisdom of God, says clearly throughout that our words are to build one another up. If we rebuke another, it should be done in love and not in anger. The words that come from our mouths spill from the overflow of our hearts but our hearts are sometimes deceiving. The heart can be a very fickle thing. We may feel up and happy one moment, down and depressed the next. The only way to avoid letting our heart, our emotions run away with us is to hold our tongue and take time to think it through. Ask ourselves if what we are thinking and feeling is a reaction to a momentary situation instead of a response to a real situation? Does anything need to be said? Will what I am going to say, or want to say serve to build others us or tear them down?

The old saying we have all heard, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all" comes into play here. Hurtful words, once hurled into the open, cannot be sucked back in. They have been spoken and heard. They have been received and although forgiveness may come with time they will most likely not be forgotten. I know I must be careful what I say, when I say it and to whom I say it. I must weigh each response against the Word of God and His guidance. I must also pray for self-control so that when I am faced with a difficult situation I will be able to stop myself through the power and strength provided through my relationship with Christ.

I pray this morning for that self-control and for the love of God to flood through me. Let everything and everyone I come in contact with today be seen and heard through the covering He provides. May His love, His wisdom and His guidance be evident in all I think, do and say today.