:Sometimes it just slips out and a millisecond later, you know you shouldn't have.
:Someone's face suddenly changes, and your friend becomes really quiet.. wait. It was just a joke!
:There's a big pause and your father replies, 'What.. did you just say?'
There are definitely times where -like the above, we think we make teeeny tinnny wrongs when we speak.. I mean,
What's the big deal anyway?
~ See that huge horse? And that girl, probably also a teen, that's riding it..
She's controlling where and how fast the horse goes, by pulling onto the bit in its mouth. (You can't see from here..unless you open the horse's mouth)
Just like that, our tongue has the Power to Control us as well.
A bit in the mouth of a horse controls the whole horse. A small rudder on a huge ship in the hands of a skilled captain sets a course in the face of the strongest winds. A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it! James 3:3-4
Why do we get into trouble so often? Why do I feel like no one wants to talk to me?
Sometimes, what we say is so so important.
We must realize that we are able to make people angry, sad and happy just by the words we say.
We get punished, or rewarded also through what we say because..
Words aren't only just words, they breathe life. Just like how God just said to the dark world, "Let there be light!" and then light appeared.
So if you keep saying "I'll lose, I'll lose, I'll lose.." You convince yourself that you'll lose!
Instead of that, think positive! "I can do this! I will do my best." And you will indeed.
Let's try this!
#1 Take time to THINK before we speak!
T- is it True?
H- is saying this Helpful?
I- is it Inspiring?
N- is it something Necessary to say?
K- Is it Kind?
And speak positive, healthy words into your life! Even in bad times, and see where it leads you.
~ Remember that Chinese New Year, a relative said 'You're fatter now ah.'
Or the teacher that called you names in front of the entire class..
Whatever mean words they said, it hurt us deep inside.
Have you ever wondered if you've done that to someone else?
Because words have the Power to Destroy.
It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell.*Wanton does not mean wantan mee. It is simiar to inconsiderate/ careless.
This is scary: You can tame a tiger, but you can't tame a tongue—it's never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton* killer. James 3:5-8
That is why when we see friends who get bullied by others who say mean things to them, we must make sure those words aren't hurting them on the inside. Words may not create wounds, like when we get hit by rocks or sticks.. So when someone hurts, we need to look hard and pay attention.
Our words, are displayed for all just like our statuses on facebook or tweets on twitter..
They show others what is in our heart. So if we have a dirty heart, our words will show it.
But if we want our tongues to be good, then inside, there must be goodness. For example, Jesus who comes in and gives us the conscience or the 'voice' to tell us what we should and shouldn't say.
"..For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of." Matt 12:34
Is there something in your heart that isn't suppose to be there?
Let's try..
#2 Listening to what others say..Identify their hearts.
Does a person with a good heart gossip?
Or is being honest to those who need to hear the truth, good or bad?
And listen to the words you say..Do you have a heart full of God, or something else?
~ Good job! All the best. I was very inspired by what you said earlier.
These are some things we say, that have the Power to Bless others.
Just saying encouraging words to someone nervous before exams/a competition will increase their confidence and might just make them do better.
Speaking the right words to those sad/ experienced a death of a loved one can provide comfort and love at a time where they most need it.
Lets Try this!
#3 Saying something encouraging to bless someone tomorrow!
Words are like seeds, once we speak them it grows and produces fruits. So plant something that will bear sweet fruits!
Remember that words are not just words, they can build or destroy, hurt or heal, make peace or war.
Choose wisely!
Till we meet again..Be good, tongue!