Words are Powerful Things.....

I am awestruck today at the power of words.
They seem to be these benign little things that come out of our mouths, yet they wield a power greater than we realize.
Scripture says they have the power to burn a forest, and that is true.

Once said, they cannot be taken back. They are 'out there' and now have to be dealt with, for good or bad. So what you say matters, and even more, how you say what you say. We used to tell our girls, "it was not what you said, it was how you said it".
So today what have you said in a way that helps or hurts, heals or wounds, builds up or destroys?

Today I was reminded so vividly of this principle. I said something, albeit posted it in a social network of typed word, it was still 'said'.
Imagine my utter suprise and, worse, my horror to have what I said so misunderstood that I suddenly became the object of someone's vapid and bitter vitriole.

Upon disovering the 'out there for everyone to see slander', I could have responded in many different ways. I could have blasted the respondent, as many would have done, for they completely took what I said and twisted it, I could ignore it, or I could lovingly confront.

Ah, and there is the rub. To confront, lovingly or otherwise, is not my nature. I would just as soon curl up in a corner and pretend it didn't happen. So to blast them for their response would be out of my comfort zone, but I confess it did cross my mind. But, that was the old me.
The born again Lord-loving me had to sit and process the cutting words and see if they had merit. Then I had to decide how to handle it.

After long thought and prayer, I went about it in such a way as I think would be pleasing to God and confronted the person, lovingly... and in private. In this venue, this meant a personal message. I tried to explain my earlier words and tried to help this individual, who I might add does not know me at all, to understand what I said, as well as what I meant.
Only time will tell if this was both productive and helpful.

For now, I am left with the thought that my Heavenly Father knows my heart, and that I would be distraught had I not tried to 'fix' the misunderstanding, for to me the verse, 'as much as is possible, be at peace with all men' is more than a suggestion, it is a precept to be carried out.

I had a family member who had the distinct gift/curse of cutting you off at the knees and leaving you bleeding before you knew you had been wounded. I have come to believe this was a distortion of the gift of words that God had given them. Had this individual used the 'words gift' properly, there is simply no telling what amazing things could have been accomplished for the kingdom of God through them.

So once again I ask you, what are you doing today with your words?
Use them sparingly, and wisely.