Lessons from Vacation #6: Choose your Words Wisely
Vacations are great…most of the time. Why do I say most of the time? Because, as great as it is to get away from the real world for a little bit, if you have children, no matter how great your vacation may be, there can be moments of complete breakdown. During our most recent vacation one of my daughters started to have a “moment”. It was sudden and honestly it became out of control irrational in my eyes.
It was in that moment that called her “whimy”. She was devastated because she prides herself on being a tough girl. She went off very dejected and even when we went to the beach she was visibly upset. Honestly, I was surprised by how much that single word affected her, but I came alongside her and talked things out with her.
This experience reminded me of a very important lesson that applies to both ministry and our personal lives.
Ministry and Personal application:
In this day and age when so many people, including people of real power, are quick to criticize and insult, resist the urge to do the same. It can be so easy to say something out of emotions and frustrations, but you need to be careful to choose your words wisely. You do not not want say something that you will regret immediately or shortly there after.
When you allow your emotions to control what you say and do, it can cause a lot of turmoil in your ministry or personal life. I have seen 2 incidents in the past 15 months where people have allowed frustrations to overtake them and have said things that they shouldn’t have.
In a similar yet different way, when we use our words to offer hope, it makes such positive difference in others. It encourages us and inspires to be better. As Hebrews 10:24 says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,”. Consider daily how you can encourage others and inspire them to be better. Give them hope that is found in Jesus alone.
Again, we live in a challenging world, so that is why it is so important for all of us to be that light shining on a hill, that gives people hope, amongst all the chaos. Choose your words wisely. Choose to give hope.
What do you think? How have you seen words have negative or positive affects in your ministry or personal life? Share below or use Twitter to share by using @tapounder when you tweet.
