Choosing Our Words

Proverbs 12:25 says, “An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.”

This verse shows me two piles of words in front of me: anxious words and kind words. When I wake up in the morning I select the pile I wish to carry today: anxious words or kind words.

You’d think my choice would be easy! Take the kind words and be cheered up!

But the anxious words are so familiar. I’m used to them. Some would say I have a right to them. Here they are: Poor me . . .
              It’s not fair . . .
              If only . . .
              What if . . .

About a year after Bruce died, my wedding ring began sending me words that discouraged me and weighed me down. It seemed like every time I looked at it, instead of arousing memories of the good marriage I had enjoyed, it would bitterly say, “You’re not married any more.” Of course that was true, but it wasn’t being said in a healthy and encouraging and kind way.

I had my recently been given my grandmother’s diamond ring. So when the wedding ring started sassing me, I took it off and put Grandma's on in it’s place. The new ring sparkled and seemed to say “good things can still happen.”

In the same way I now take off the anxious words and choose kind words.

Instead of “Poor me” I pick up on Eph. 1:3 which says that God has “. . . blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ . . .”

Instead of “It’s not fair” I remind myself that God is in control. I think of Joseph and his words, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Gen. 50:20

Instead of “If only” I replace it with “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made . . .” Psalm 139:14.

Instead of “What if” I fill in the blank with “. . . whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

In fact, read all of Phillipians 4:4-9. It’s a pile of kind words. When I pick it up I don't carry it too long. It carries me!
What good words have carried you? Feel free to click the comment line below to share the helpful words you've found.

♥ ferree