Have you ever had someone say something to you that just made your day? Someone you respect tells you “you look great,” or “what you are a doing is amazing and is making a great improvement.” On the other side of that coin, you may have heard people say things that seem to ruin your day.

We need to remember that we are often that someone that is making or ruining someone else’s day by what we say.

There are many references in the bible about the power and importance of words. James writes in James 3:3-5 “We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.”

A few of the many references to the power of words in Proverbs are: Proverbs 15:4, “Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” and 13:3, “Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.” 12:18, “Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.”

What if you had an unlimited amount of money that you could only use to give to others, wouldn’t you use it to improve their lives? In ways, that is what we have with our words. We have an unlimited account of words we can use to give to others and brighten their days. Let’s use them in that fashion.

Dear Lord, we thank and praise you for the wisdom you provide us in your word. Help us control what we say and so that we can be a “tree of life” and “bring healing” with our words. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.