The other night I had a strange dream. I was in the process of taking a turn on a busy road, and instead of taking a left turn, as I originally intended, I took a right turn. I went on my way just fine, but when I looked back I saw that my last second change had caused a major accident with two other cars. In my dream, I saw that both cars ended up being totaled, and the occupant of one of the cars was someone that I knew. Everyone was okay, but I was embarrassed and ashamed that my action caused the kind of damage that it did.
I don’t know exactly what my dream meant, but I had the thought that a seemingly small decision on my part caused a reaction that left a lot of destruction behind me.
I was reminded of a small muscle that we have that can have the same destructive effect….our tongue.
James 1:5 says “Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.”
We don’t have to look far to see the devastating effects of a forest fire. Just turn on the news and you will see thousands of acres of forest continuously burning because of someone’s careless sparks.
And in the same way, all across our world our tongues are being used to set fires that are burning out of control….in our homes, among friends, and across social media.
I had to painfully examine myself as a result of my dream. Are my words being used to heal or to destroy? Are they a balm to a hurting heart, or are they a jab to an already wounded soul? Do my children feel encouraged and uplifted when I speak, or do they feel inadequate and hurt?
Proverbs 15:4 (NIV) says “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit”
Psalms 107:20 (NIV) says “He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.”
It’s not always easy, especially if the environment you are in at home, school, or work is filled with discouragement and negativity. But we can rise above that, and allow our words to bring life and hope to an atmosphere filled with anger or hatred.
As God sent forth His word and healed His people, our words can go forth and foster healing and growth, instead of death and destruction.
And today more than ever, our world needs a dose of healing and hope.
My prayer for myself and for you is “Let the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord my strength and my redeemer.” (Psalms 19:14 ,NKJV)
~Vijoy
