Words

So yesterday, I started looking at this bible verse one word at a time using the One Word Bible Study Method. 

"Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." 

                                                                -Proverbs 16:24

The Father showed me so much about the word gracious yesterday, and he has yet again revealed a little bit himself with "words" today. 

When I started thinking about "words" a phrase automatically came to mind that I have heard so many parents and babysitters say over the years: "Use your words."  So often with small children you have to ask them to explain their feelings to you. Instead of just crying about something, you want children to be able to adequately express their feelings, wants, and needs. We teach small children this concept early, and how often do we use our words throughout each day to express our feelings, wants, and needs? How often do we tell God exactly what we want and how we are feeling about something? How often do we express our opinions to others in public and private when often times our opinions are not needed? How often do we use our words to yell at people in customer service positions, work places, or those in our families, because we are not getting exactly what we want or think we need? How often do we use our words to tear people down instead of build them up. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can also hurt me and others, at least they can stick with you for a while.

We tend to like to talk a lot. I am extraordinarily guilty of that. I like to tell people my opinions, but I also like to tell God what I need and want. My prayers usually consist of a list of things that I want and need him to do for me and for others. But the funny thing is….the Father already knows everything. He doesn’t need us to use our words. He is already there. He is omniscient. And he knows better than we do. Who are we to tell the Father what it is that we need. He already knows what we need and what we want. We just may not know that it is what we want, yet. An amazing friend told me this year to stop praying for God to grant me the desires of my heart, but instead to pray for God to make the desires of my heart align with his desires for my heart. The Lord already knows what it is that we need and want and doesn’t need us to tell him. But he does want us to talk to Him and worship Him and use our words to build people up so that He receives the glory in all things. And in walks the word “Gracious”, again. Our “words” should only be used when they are “gracious” to people and to the Father. All day, every day, period. 

-I am not