Proverbs 13 (Allen)
“A number 3 with no onions please…”
"Those who control their tongue will have a long life;
In an age of overwhelming information and noise constantly bombarding us on a daily basis the right words can be a much valued commodity. This is also the case when it comes to our daily interaction with the people around us.
How many times have you caught yourself in a less than desirable conversation, begging to get out, when if you would have just kept your lips buttoned up you would’ve avoided the exchange all together? Maybe someone cut you off in the passing lane going to work and you let the profanities fly only to regret your own rudeness later? Did you ever spout off to someone before knowing all of the facts and then find yourself having to go back to that person and ask for forgiveness because you were not only wrong but way out of line?
There is a reason that the bible refers to our tongues as containing “deadly poison” and claims “who can tame it?”. Life and death really do reside in that muscle between our skull and bottom jaw. Trust me on this one people. Our words can provide healing and comfort just as much as they can maim and destroy. Raise your hand if someone has ever hurt or helped you with their words. I thought I’d see a few hands.
Try this little exercise, the next time you go through your local fast food drive thru and you see that the guy getting your grub together is having a less than stellar day, instead of being like every other customer and snatching that number 3 combo out of his hands with nothing more than a “thanks”, crack a smile and say something kind or goofy or funny (I promise it won’t hurt). Say anything that might just take the edge off his really crummy day. He may or may not respond but either way you’ve used your tongue for more than a brace for the straw in your diet coke…
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