Gentle Words Give Life: Part 1

Proverbs 16:24
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Proverbs 16:23-25 (in Context) Proverbs 16

One well placed word, can spark such unbelievable life. This week, I am going to write a series of posts, maybe 2 or 3, on words and how the Lord has been teaching me about them. One can never know how another perceives ones words totally, but if you commit to allowing the Father to season your words and ask that He will flow through all that you say, you will be well placed to bless those around you. I actually want to challenge you to do a study on words, and see all of the things the Father says about them. You may be healed from the inside out and be totally changed in your thoughts on it.

This also goes for not responding to one in anger, or calling people out on their stuff unless you are completely sure the Holy Spirit is saying for you to do so. I try to keep this in mind with my children, with my husband, friends and acquaintances. Lately, I have had a few people say some unbelievably hurtful things to me. One of the things I have learned over the years is to separate the person from the words, and in all situations try to see them as Jesus does. See them as broken as I am broken, see them as needing healing as I need healing, having compassion for them instead of wanting to defend myself, allowing space for Jesus to be with them, and not throw my issues into the mix. Some times I retreat from certain people because I don’t want to say something that will derail them from what God is doing with them, because I know in my own flesh and pain, I may say something that would bring more wounding then health and healing. I will say this is not easy and I am not perfect in this. There are times in my flesh I want to nail someone to the wall, and call it all out. It is part of my training in Christ likeness to not respond until He sets it up in a way that is helpful on all fronts with His words not mine.

Proverbs 10:19
When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.

Some time ago I had a hurtful email land in my in box. Unbeknown to this person, it was a full on frontal attack to my very core. Our calling, our vision for church, our deeply held God called and inspired DNA that has been printed on our heart. It was so deep, that I knew it wasn’t about this person, it was about being sifted. It was about me going to God for all my healing, self worth and wholeness and not in any ones affirmation. Since then, a few closer people, have unknowingly, in their pain, done the same thing on different levels. It has almost laughable at a certain point. With each time, God has been calling me not to respond and to speak a blessing.

In all of these instances, God has been calling me and drawing me into him. Showing me His goodness to me and for me and our family and what he has spoken into being with our church here. Trust me people, we didn’t’ come down here and decide to do this because it was cool and hip. I have wanted to quit so many times it is embarrassing how little faith I have. If I had my way we would be someplace completely different, but His ways are so much better and I have grown to love being here, and have fallen in love with those he has called to be with us.
Last night, I got a gift. It was the gift found in my in box. It was very dear and sincere, from the originator of that email, asking for forgiveness. First I was stunned, and then I was still stunned because it was so unexpected. OF COURSE! Not only were those words life giving to me, I know that they were for the sender as well, in only the deep and abiding ways that the Holy Spirit can work with someone. Behind the words, I heard something more. I heard a gentle word from the Father, affirming me at my core. I have so many thoughts on all of this, and what the Lord is stirring in me, but I will stop here. This post is already too long…more tomorrow.

Peace to all~