Psalm 57 I am in the midst of lions; I lie among ravenous beasts—men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords. (v.4)

I have found that words can leave deeper scars than physical wounds. I once got hit in the face; the bruises ached and throbbed. Then the bruises began to heal and so did my memory of the physical pain. However, the hateful/hurtful words spoken to me lodged deep inside and those wounds became infected. I adopted those negative words, becoming what was spoken. I became an embittered person and carried all my anger into every relationship. I regret to admit that words were often my weapon of choice.

Then I read: “The tongue has the power of life and death…” (Proverbs 18:21). For years the sharp sword of peoples’ tongues cut me to pieces and my tongue cut them. I asked the Lord to help me to forgive those people and to forgive me for the times when I spoke hateful words. In His mercy He forgave me.

My prayer each morning is that my words would build people up, not tear them down. I want my words to fill people with hope (life), not despair (death).

2 Samuel 2:1-11; Psalms 56, 58; Acts 15:36—16:5; Mark 6:14-29

Until next time blessings and healing