Words

DEAR JESUS,
I've never really considered the impact of my words. But the things I say and even the meaning behind them have enormous impact on those who hear. In a sense, my words are gifts that I can give. My words can be a gift of praise to you or a gift of encouragement to a friend. I know that I have often spoken words that are annoying, complaining, insulting, demeaning, or simply useless. I'm sorry I have been so irresponsible with my tongue. I want to make my words count. Help me to be thoughtful in my prayers to you and my speech to others. Perhaps the greatest gift I can give others is not in a box covered with paper and bows but in the words I use to encourage, inspire, comfort, or challenge them .

*** Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. EPHESIANS 4:29 ***

Words are very powerful. They have a great effect when use correctly and can create a great damage as well if used for the wrong reasons. The two most obvious things I can think of are building up or breaking down. As a mother, I see that my words toward my children mean a whole lot more now at such a young age. These words now are buliding blocks for my relationship with my children. Bulding a good foundation is going to be very important later on for our communication when they get older and are changing from children to growing adults. I know that there is the flip side to this as well if I am not buliding then I am breaking. My words can have the effect of a sledge hammer on bricks. Ill be destroying the bricks and creating an uneven surface. You cant stand on an uneven surface without having to constantly keep balance and worry about falling and getting hurt.
This image is the same for us towards our Father. Are we using the correct words in our prayers toward Him to build a strong foundation or are we constantly slamming the bricks with that sledge hammer? I encourage you to take time in your prayers and ask the Lord to help you with your words and become a better brick layer instead of a demolition laborer.