Speak Life

Our mouths can get us in a lot of trouble. I once heard a saying about our mouths writing checks we can’t cash and for many of us, that is too close to the truth. Why did thinking before we speak become an under-rated skill? Over the years, I recall meeting many different people. Among them, there was always someone who felt compelled to question my quiet. You’re so quiet. Why don’t you talk more? Are you an introvert? All sorts of comments and questions that made me spend years thinking I was what these people said I was. Rarely do people consider that quieter isn’t wrong. In fact, many of us could stand to be a little quieter. 

Sometimes, our mouths will fire off before we’ve actually put thought into what needs to be said (if anything!). This makes me think about a recent encounter at work. One of my coworkers and I were having a conversation beside our desks. Another walked in and made a point of announcing to everyone that they were not late. They’d arrived on time, but had stepped out for a moment to move their car. This stood out to me because of one simple reason. I would never have noticed or even thought about it had they not made such a production of it. This made me think how it seems to be the nature for many to instantly upgrade mole hills into mountains. There is minimal interest in downsizing them. Think of how when our life circumstances throw us a curveball. It’s never just a curveball. We turn it into a wrecking ball!

Believe it or not, this is what happens with our speech. They are not just words. In what we think and what we speak is life. But there is also death. There are many verses that speak to the power of our words. Back when I spoke about the “quiet”, it’s because there are some of us who don’t take that moment of quiet to be thoughtful about our speech. What is the intent and the potential impact of what I’m about to say? Even fewer of us take it a step further and think, Does this need to be said? 

Last week, I shared the importance of our thinking. What we think, what we believe, and what we hope. It’s all of the utmost importance. So is how we treat others. How can I strive and fight to keep my thoughts positive when those around me are working just as hard to tear me down? Instead of wasting time stepping on others and grinding them even lower, we should instead use those powerful words of ours to uplift them. 

When I’m going through a hard time, my ears are sensitive to encouragement. I hear it and it’s like I can feel a weight begin to lighten. The opposite is true when absentminded words are spoken. This is why we need to take a moment and consider whether or not something actually needs to be spoken. Added to that, we also need to consider the timing. Maybe those words do  need to be spoken. But do they need to be spoken right at that moment when the other person is probably already feeling low? Let’s spend time being more gracious toward one another. Afterall, don’t we all need a little grace now and then?

Stay Sunny!

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