THE POWER OF WORDSPrøve

Why do we hurt each other with our words? It can be to humiliate, to dehumanise, or to demonstrate we are more clever, funnier, or smarter. It can be because we are hurt, because our ego has been bruised, or because we are tired, angry, disappointed, in a bad mood, feeling defensive, anxious, or generally unhappy with life. The person who is at the other end of our poor choice of words has done absolutely nothing to deserve the ill-conceived words that have come out of our mouths. Or let’s not forget the political: calculated, conniving deliberate attempts to sabotage, sow discord, or to foster disharmony for political gain. I can guarantee that not one of us is immune from the giving or receiving of damaging words. The problem is that as the giver we will never know the full impact of our thoughtlessly spoken or typed words. Question: What could you do to become more aware of the impact of your words? Prayer Father God, thank you for your gift of forgiveness that came at such great cost. Help me to be forgiving of others and to guard against unwholesome talk out of my own mouth. This needs my constant vigilance so that I build others up and do not cause you grief.