Pleasant Words

”Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.“ ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭24‬ ‭

We are often careful to speak pleasant words to others, but failed to use the same pleasantries with those closest to us, or with ourselves. I know that I am guilty of this. I was very good to keep a mask on in public, my words were as sweet as honeycomb. My children became well acquainted with “the look.” In my own home, I could easily go from one to 120 in the anger department at the drop of a hat. I could injure with my words. Looking back, I’m so grateful that my husband and children stuck around in the process of God transforming my life.

Our families deserve our best. They deserve the pleasant words because home is supposed to be our safe place. Home can be the place where there is healing bones and comfort to our souls from all that the world throws at us.

It takes being intentional. I understand often the mask comes off with those closest to us because home is our safe place too. After I give people grace for that, I will challenge them with this question. “How would you talk if Jesus was sitting there?” If the person is an unbeliever I ask how they would talk if their boss was there with them. The answers are generally similar.

As Christians, Holy Spirit, God’s Spirit, the same Spirit that rose Christ from the dead lives within us. He is with us in everything we do, from the time we accept Christ in to our heart for salvation to the moment we die. That was a sobering thought to me the first time I really had that revelation of it. I went from “knowing” to “really knowing” His omnipresence. I admit there are still some decisions in my life I wouldn’t make if I really kept that at the forefront of my mind. But I know God is working on those areas too.

We also need to speak pleasant words to ourselves. We deserve the same sweetness to our soul and healing in our bones. We would never allow someone else to talk to our child or loved one with the same words we often speak to ourselves. Things like “I’m dumb”, “I’m ugly”. “I’m fat”. “I’m not good enough”. “I’m…” fill in the blank.

We would not stand for these statements to be said of our children. We would want pleasant words spoken over those we love, especially our children. Well, we are God’s children. Why would we talk to His child that way?

The other thing about those “I am” statements is that I Am is the name for God. Jonathan Cahn shared in The Book of Mysteries, two devotions about I Am statements that were very powerful. I would encourage you to get the book and read through it as the depth of what he shares is so deep. In short, when we use the word, “I am”, we are using the name of God. He talks about how those “I am” statements could be considered taking God’s name in vain.

Lord help me speak more pleasant words. Help me to speak healing to myself, my family, and others. In Jesus name amen.