Harsh Words – A 2MefromHim Devotional

Posted by on Jan 29, 2018 | 2 comments

Harsh Words – A 2MefromHim Devotional

Harsh words hurt. Some people have the habit of saying things that wound deeply. Others are gracious even in criticism. Scripture has a lot to say about words and the tongue. I’d love to hear your comments!

 

 

2MefromHim Devotionals

Harsh Words

Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;
so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
Proverbs 17:14

Harsh Words scripture

Harsh words sent me retreating into a cocoon. I sat tongue-tied, knowing the words on the tip of my tongue were the worst thing I could say. I wanted to lash back in kind, to hurt them as they hurt me. The words caught in my throat like aged caramel candy, too sticky to swallow, too thick to spew forth.

I’m not known as inarticulate. But when under attack, I sit speechless, victim to the garbage thrown my way. Vindictiveness comes easy to some, but not to me. Perhaps it’s better to stay quiet. It prevents me saying things I regret. However, I’m left wounded and bleeding, my soul screaming for acquittal, while tears sting my eyes. Scripture indicates that silence in the face of unjust accusations is what God desires. Jesus stood silent in the face of his accusers. He refused to answer unjust charges or go on the attack.

Harsh words wreak havoc in their victims. They damage reputations, destroy relationships, and create putrid wounds that refuse to heal.

Harsh Words meme

My engineer husband taught me that all dams leak. The tiniest crack creates a flood resulting in rotten heaps of foul debris with nothing left to salvage. Words do the same.

When tempted to speak our minds, it’s preferable to stop, think, and pray. Will our words build up or tear down? Do they create potential for a solution or an argument?

As I struggled to overcome the hurt of a vicious attack, these methods of dealing with vicious words stood out:

  • You don’t have to listen, so get out of the conversation
  • Be the bigger person, don’t sink to the level of your attacker
  • Pray for God to confront their heart about their attitude
  • Pray for God to fill your heart with forgiveness rather than hurt
  • Remember that God says “Vengeance is mine.”

No matter the situation, we have a choice in how we respond.

If I believe God is my protector, vindicator, guardian, and guide, I can entrust the situation to his keeping. I can set myself apart from the fray and hold my head high, knowing he will deal with the accuser in his own time and way.

© Copyright Norma Gail Thurston Holtman, January 26, 2018

Norma Gail authorAbout the author:

Norma Gail’s debut contemporary Christian romance, Land of My Dreams, won the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction Award. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, Historical Writers of America, and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 41 years. They have two adult children. If you’re interested in connecting with her, you’re to follow her blog, or join her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Goodreads, or Amazon.

 

Land of My Dreams cover

 

 

 

2 Comments

  1. Amen! God heals all wounds, defends against all arrows and darts, deflects all hurtful wounds. Thank you Norma Gail!

    • Yes, He does! Thank you, April!

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