In the moment, but prepared

A tender answer turns away rage, but a prickly reply spikes anger. (Proverbs 15:1 VOICE)

It was John F. Kennedy who said, "We must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." The words we live by are more than words - they are a testimony to the grace and love of God within us, or the selfishness and pride that wells up when a soul isn't serving Christ. The more we live by truth instead of just speaking it, the more we will see the lives of those around us impacted by the 'words we live'. 

John Maxwell reminds us, "People may hear your words, but they feel your attitude." This is never truer than when we display an unkind or selfish attitude. The words might be 'kind' or 'understanding', but if the attitude behind them is sarcastic, they can be viewed as unkind. Sarcasm is often used because someone wants to be funny, but it can also become a weapon that brings hurt to the heart of one hearing those words. Be careful how you use sarcasm - it can backfire!

Blaise Pascal said, "Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much." We can all do better with our words, can't we? We all cross the line on occasion - not really intending to bring on an argument or fight, but those words opened the door for something to come out of the situation that might just get a little uglier than we hoped. Insincere words, although spoken kindly, will do little to diffuse the tension of the moment. It is the sincerely kind words that are capable of doing that.

Yehuda Berg may have said it best, "Words are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity. We can choose to use this force constructively with words of encouragement, or destructively using words of despair. Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate and to humble." Will our words today help or heal? Will they hinder another's progress? Will they bring someone crashing down, or lift them up so they can finally feel what it is like to soar high?

We choose our words - in the moment - so be careful what you choose in those moments. If we prepare our hearts for the moments, we are less likely to bring words into those moments that will hurt or hinder. We will be more likely to bring words that help and heal. We may not choose the moment, but we can prepare for it. We give our words to God at the beginning of each day, lifting quick prayers to him in the moment to help us use our words in ways that will always leave a lasting impression of a positive testimony of his grace and love. Just sayin!