Most of us have choices as to what we feed into our minds, and I always choose books, movies, and music to encourage and uplift my spirit. A good book, 100 DAYS TO BRAVE by Annie F. Downs has 100 vignettes great for reading one every day for 3 months. Then I start over again because they’re that good. I want to share one called “Be Generous With Your Words,” so apropos for the times.

Proverbs 16;24 ESV says, “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” We’ve always heard the verse that says there is power in the tongue, in bringing life or to death. Some adults I know suffer ill feelings today because of words spoken to them as children. Once hurtful words are spoken, they cannot be erased.

Brave people take God’s Word and speak love into the lives of others. Brave people let God love them and know they are equipped for all the ways to use their words to speak love.

Today’s verse is so beautiful and true. Have you ever been around someone whose words just grate? We can use our words to hurt others, to be negative, to gossip, and to complain.

Or, we can be brave enough to step out into a negative, cynical world, where people want to hear gossip and negativity, and instead we can be generous with our words and use them to bring life.

If we are focused on that—if our goal, day in and day out, is to be generous and gracious, speaking love with our words—our negative mindsets and habits will fall away. The cussing will stop because it doesn’t fit into who you want to be. The sarcasm will slow because you can’t imagine hurting someone else with your words, even if it is unintentional. The inappropriate jokes may still come into your mind but not so much out of your mouth.

When we put God’s Word in, diligently and routinely, the lesser things fall away. God makes us new, again and again, and we can be intentional and generous with our words to ourselves, to each other, and to God.

A good idea is to write a note, or text, email, or phone call.) To anyone. To people who need some words of life poured into their hearts. Stand up for people who can’t stand up for themselves. Think before you speak, choosing words that are gifts of light and not ones causing hurt or pain.

Be brave. Be different in a world that uses words to hurt. Use words to heal and use them often. Give those words of life, the words found in Scripture to as many people as you can. You will find life is more peaceful for them AND it will affect you, as well! Have a good, blessed day!