THROUGH RAGING WATERS

Today I was thinking how so many times we face trials that seem to be as raging waters trying to consume our very being.  During these testings in my own life... I have seen God choose to calm those raging seas, or part them so that I could pass through on dry ground, unscathed by the tempest that roared around me, unmarred by the mud that I trod upon.  But then there are other times such as now... that He chooses that I go through those furious torrents... waves of testing all around, batting me to and fro as a ship with no anchor nor sail.  All the while in the midst of the tempest I hear Him softly whisper to me:

"When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. Fear not: for I am with thee:"  (Isaiah 43: 2 & 5a)

STICKS and STONES

Today I read this quote from Paul Sevillano... "Sticks and stones may break my bones... But words can tear apart, and break my heart."  It took me back to my childhood days when we would use a similar statement to ward off bullies and their unkind words... "Sticks and stones may break my bones... But words can never hurt me!"  Even then "words" may have not caused physical pain - but I dare say there are few to be found that "words" did not cause lasting wounds that even time has not healed.  I also recently read a statement that said... "Be careful with your words, once they are said, they can be only forgiven, not forgotten."

I wonder if that is not why in Proverbs 18:21a the Bible says:  "Death and life are in the power of the tongue:" or James 3:8 which says:  "But the tongue can no man tame, it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison."

As I ponder the power of words to lift up or tear down... encourage or discourage... bring joy or despair... repair or destroy, I am ever more cautious in what I say and how I listen to the "words" around me.

STICKS, STONES, AND WORDS

CAN DEEPLY HURT US!