Did she really say THAT?

Make your words sweet in case you need to eat them!

Do we realize we have the power to build others up or tear them down all with our words?

I’m here to tell you, whoever said “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” –lied.

All my life my “mid-section” has somewhat resembled a cream puff in a t-shirt. I’m totally okay with this, well now, however nearly 25 years ago I was quite insecure about my “Pillsbury Dough Girl” feature. So, you can imagine the devastation that assaulted my mind when I was on the receiving end of a “zinger”.

One evening at a church event, someone whom I thought was my friend uttered words that destroyed me. With a cynical smile, she placed her hand on my stomach, and patting me said, “When’s the baby due, Dawn?”

Oh yes, she did!

Immediately, the thoughts in my mind flew around like a parakeet caught in a closet.

Worse yet, this friend was aware of my image insecurities, which only added to me feeling completely pulverized.

My first reaction? Hmmmph, I wanted to get even. I wanted to dish out to her what she dished out to me.

We often use anger to mask the pain of our hurt, don’t we?

Turned out this “friend” was quite jealous of me, and though I plotted ways to get a little bit of revenge, God reminded me that’s not what He’s all about. And, that as a follower of Him, seeking to avenge my pain should not be what I’m all about either.

God’s word says this in Proverbs 18:20-21:

“From the fruit of his mouth a man’s stomach is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

We will be filled with what we put forth. We can help, heal and edify others, or we can hinder, harm and destroy.

In God’s tender way, He helped me realize this truth:

How I make others feel about themselves, says a lot about me.

Our speech has power. Our language has energy. Our words . . . matter.

Sometimes, we suffer words that cut like a knife.

But, instead of saying, “Hold my halo, I’m about to do unto others as they’ve done to me”, God whispers a gentle reminder.

One day you will need the same grace that you’re not willing to give.

That, my friends, is one of God’s “zingers”.

God’s words allow me to adjust my crown as a daughter of a King and choose to be an instrument of life.

So, the next time you feel a zinger rising to the tip of your tongue, remember this anonymous quote:

“If the words you spoke appeared on your skin, would you still be beautiful?”

How are you using your words today?