Words are very important. Words can heal and words can
harm.
Words can hurt grievously and for a long time.
The tongue can bless and the tongue can curse.
It is very important for us to control our words and tame our
tongue when we are angry. Many times, when we are angry we say the
most atrocious things. We forget ourselves and become
indifferent to what we say. We blast the other person without
mercy, although we may not mean those words. But words once spoken
cannot be taken back and it takes a long time to forgive and
forget.
We have to exercise self-control. Many couples are particularly
prone to such outbursts when they get mad. But it is not an easy
thing to control our tongue when we are provoked, boiled over with
anger or have outburst of wrath. It is at such time that we have to
learn to hold our tongue and to remain silent. If we can’t tame our
tongue, we have to take a break or go for a walk to cool off. It is
much easier to control the words before the blow-up than during the
explosion.
Uncontrollable words spoken in anger can have devastating
effect. Angry words, that are used unthinkingly, such as I don‘t
care, I can t be bothered, I don’t need you, or you can go to hell
cause pain and feelings of rejection. They give rise to insecurity.
The unmeant and foolish words contain full of deadly poison and can
play havoc in the mind. The unruly words get churned over for hours
on end and create their worst mischief in a difficult relationship.
It can take a very long time to forgive what was said. Let us learn
to turn away from angry words before they leave our mouth and try
to say healing words instead. It is so important to choose our
words wisely.
When we are boiling with anger and eager to throw bitter words
at our opponents, it is better to remain silent. Words spoken in
rage will make reconciliation very hard. Choosing life and not
death, blessings and not curses, often starts by choosing to remain
silent or choosing carefully the words that open the way to
healing.
We must also be very careful that in our anger we do not label
our children with ugly names such as fat, stupid, snake, pig,
moron, kay-poh (busy-body), useless, good for nothing. Such
negative words can do harm to them for years to come! When we say
to someone, “You are an ugly, useless, despicable person,” we might
have ruined the possibility for a relationship with that person for
life. Words can continue to do harm for many years.
Indeed, we do not want to spoil our relationship with our own
precious children. We must always use words to build them up not
words to knock them down. Be an encourager not a critic. They have
enough people criticizing them but far too few approving and
affirming them. So to help our children to fulfill their highest
potential we should be their greatest ENCOURAGER. Encourage.
Encourage. Encourage on every occasion.
Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that
build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do
good to those who hear you. Also, don’t utter vulgar or obscene
words, Nor is it fitting for you to use language which is obscene,
profane, or vulgar. Avoid immoral talks, jokes or gossips. It is
not right that any matters of sexual immorality or indecency or
greed should even be mentioned among you.
Quarrelling does no good, but only ruins the people who
listen...Keep away from profane and foolish discussions. Such
teaching is like an open sore that eats away the flesh. He
reiterates that we should keep away from foolish and ignorant
arguments; you know that they end up in quarrels. You must be kind
toward all, a good and patient teacher, who is gentle as you
correct your opponents.
It is vitally important that we exercise our choice to speak
helpful words wherever we are, particularly at home. Words can
bring consolation, comfort, encouragement, and hope. Words can take
away fear, isolation, shame, and guilt. Words can reconcile, unite,
forgive, and heal. Words can bring peace and joy, inner freedom and
deep gratitude. Words, in short, can carry love on their wings. A
word of love can be one of the greatest acts of love. When we
choose to speak words of care, words of encouragement, words of
praise, words of love, words of admiration, positive words---they
uplift and give meaning to our lives.
Everyday we need to give and receive words of encouragement,
hope and joy. We then create an environment that is pleasant to be
in and that gives us the confidence and courage to cope with our
stressful life here and now. When we say to our parents, children,
or friends, “I love you very much or I care for you or I think of
you often” or “You are my great gift,” we choose to give life.
It is not always easy to express our love directly in words. But
whenever we do, we discover we have offered a blessing that will be
long remembered. When a son can say to his father, Dad, I love you,
and when a mother can say to her daughter, Child, I love you, a
whole new blessed place can be opened up, a space where it is good
to dwell. Indeed, words have the power to create life.
Often, we want to hear words such as, I’ve been thinking of you
today, or I missed you, or I wish you were here, or I really love
you. It is not always easy to say these words, but such words can
deepen our bonds with one another.
"Telling someone I love you in whatever way is always delivering
good news. Nobody will respond by saying, Well, I know that
already, you don t have to say it again! Words of love and
affirmation are like bread. We need them each day, over and over.
They keep us alive inside. When we say, I love you, and say it from
the heart, we can give another person new life, new hope, new
courage. When we say, I hate you, we can destroy another person.
Let s watch our words."
At the same time, we must be careful that we are sincere in our
words because if we say, I love you, without meaning it, then such
words do more harm than good. But if these same words are spoken
from the heart, they create new life. They give joy. They bring
happiness. We have to make sure that our words are rooted from our
heart.