Kind words are like honey—
sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
Think about it:
Why do you think the Bible says "kind words are sweet to the soul and healthy for the body?"
Well...
*Kind words are like honey because honey is sweet and when we are kind we uplift people and bring sweetness into their life.
*Kind words are like honey because honey is healthy and when we are kind we not only bring emotional well being but also physical well being.
- When someone is having a hard time or even if they're not, our words can help them feel better both emotionally and physically because when we are stressed out about life we are also physically drained not just emotionally drained.
- The same goes for when we say hateful things to people or put people down through our sarcastic tone or even behind their backs... We hurt them emotionally and then that can take a physical toll on their bodies.
Ephesians 4:29 "Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them."
Kind words are also like honey because honey is sticky and when we say kind words to people those words stick with them. They can think back and have hope because someone cared enough about them to say kind things.
For example, when I was in high school and my parents were going through their divorce, and my father was all of a sudden out of the picture, I was really depressed ... emotionally and physically drained ....
I had no hope and was filled with bitterness toward the entire situation, and I blamed God for letting such a terrible thing happen in my life and especially my mother and brother's lives.
I had never really had any problems in school, but at this point I was so depressed that I didn't care about my grades anymore and they began to slip.
One day I got to my chemistry class and found out we had a test that day and (insert doom's day music) I DIDN'T STUDY!!!
I was so upset and started to cry, then my teacher Mr. Hethcox came over to me and said not to worry, that I could take the test the next week. He didn't even know my situation, yet he spoke kindness into my life.
Then at the end of class as everyone was turning in their tests, and I walked out the door still angry with myself because I had forgotten to study, Mr. Hethcox handed me a piece of paper.
I thought, "This probably says, 'You're a failure.'"
But instead, on the letter he had written words of encouragement, telling me that everyone was in God's hands and that God would take care of my situation. He also put some scripture verses on the card for me to look up.
I cannot tell you how encouraged I felt. Someone who didn't even really know my situation dared to show kindness toward ... not caring if I would reject his kindness or not.
And that little bit of kindness has STUCK with me all these years.
So you see... when we are kind to others, they remember it. It sticks with them, and just might change them for the better. And it will definitely point them towards Jesus.
*So why do you think it is important as a Godly woman to be encouraging to people instead of tearing them down with our words?
*Do you make it a practice to speak kind words to and about people? Or are your words harsh, judge mental or cruel towards people? Do you encourage others by cheering them on or praising them for their good qualities? Or do you use sarcasm or demeaning words to strike up conversation?
As you think about these things think about how your words - either words of encouragement or words of destruction - can really hurt or uplift someone.
Pray about it: If you need me to pray with you about those feelings, please feel free to text me, call me, message me and I would love to pray for your heart to be changed to show others kindness through Jesus' love. ALSO, pray now and ask Jesus to be with you every step of the way throughout every single moment of your day. Ask him to put kind words in your mouth so that what you say lifts others up and encourages them instead of tearing them down and breaking their spirit. Ask God to help you examine your motives ... if your words are used to intentionally hurt others, ask God to give you kind words to say and positive things to think about others instead of words and feelings full of hate. Know that you can't control your tongue and the words that come out of your mouth, but with God all things are possible. So pray and ask him to change your words and how you say things, and BELIEVE that he can do it.
Remember I love you all, and He loves you even more!
Have a great day/night,
Jessica Hargett
