Watch what you say - part II

Watching what we sat - Part II

https://christiancounselingco.com/5-ways-to-tame-your-tongue/

I was thinking this morning about our bodies.  We say “love” comes from the heart!!  But, the reality is our heartbeats and pumps blood around our body - and doesn’t really “love”.  Likewise, we talk about our “tongue” - but the tongue doesn’t do much except help with eating and the forming of words.

What really matters is loving and in talking - is our brain.  “As a person thinks, so we are”.  If we think “love”, we love!!  If we think of our words, so are they!!  Kind words are like honey-sweet to the soul and healthy for the body

But, who am I to go away from convention!!  So I’m writing about our ‘tongue’ and talking this week!!!  So, “taming your tongue”!!

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“The tongue is the only tool that gets sharper with use” -Washington Irving

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue” –Proverbs 18:21

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The author of the linked article uses an old adage ““There are two wolves who are always fighting. One is darkness and despair. The other is light and hope. The question is… which wolf wins?” The answer is, “The one you feed.”.

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The author has five points:

-1 DEDICATE YOUR HEART, MIND, AND TONGUE TO THE LORD

Whatever you understand of the infinite God, it is good to make a commitment to dedicate your thoughts (which lead to your words) to God!!  It is like the two wolves example - which one wins?  The one you feed - speaking positive things or speaking negative things!!

-2 PRAY THAT GOD WOULD GIVE YOU AN AWARENESS/CONSCIOUSNESS OF YOUR WORDS

The author uses Proverbs 18:21 - “Death and life are in the power of the tongue”.  At times, I have let my tongue slip - and I have hurt those I am talking too.  (Even just yesterday I got talking about a book I had been listening to and let a negative slip out!!!)

-3 SURRENDER UP YOUR “RIGHT” TO COMPLAIN

I am trying to learn “In everything give thanks” - for the COVID-19 virus, for the heat in Texas, for the economy, for the hurricanes - as well as for the blessings in my life - IN EVERYTHING (even for mosquitos, spiders, rats, riots, discrimination - I am not allowed to complain.  If I give thanks for EVERYTHING - I really am adjusting my whole attitude to 100% positive.  (Okay, 85% positive!!)  

-4 ASK FOR FORGIVENESS FOR ANY UNLOVING WORDS OR ATTITUDES

Okay, I do slip and say stupid things.  (Can I use the excuse “I’m only human?”  Saying (and meaning) “I’m sorry - that was wrong of me, I shouldn’t have said that, and after saying it and reflecting on it, it was very unloving and just plain wrong”!!

-5 PRACTICE SPEAKING WORDS THAT WILL ENCOURAGE, COMFORT, EDIFY, AND INSPIRE

I try to encourage people.  I’m thinking of a person crossing a desert and finding a spring - springs can have sweet water or sour water.  Which one do I choose?  “Let my words be sweet and inspirational”!!

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We are in our political season - and the negative words are flying around.  I haven’t walked a mile in their shoes, who am I to condemn - and to be honest, being President is tough - and deep in their hearts (aka - their brain, but it translates to their hearts), they want the best for our country and our world - but each person’s vision is unique  Both major political parties want people to be healthy, to be fed, to be gainfully employed.  But, they seem to highlight the ‘evils’ of the other side.

Let us be lights in the darkness - now and always!!

LOVE WINS!!!

Hugs!!!

Karen