"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29
Ashley Schneider, a sophomore at the University of Minnesota, will be running her fourth half marathon next month to raise funds and awareness for people struggling with an eating disorder. Ashley, who is now in recovery, said that her own struggle with weight and image started on the playground when she was in the second or third grade. She said that she vividly remembers playing a game when one of her schoolmates looked at her and said, "You're just really fat and ugly, and no guy will ever like you." Ashley went on to say, "That always stuck with me." She now urges people to think about the power of their words. And you know, if power is defined as the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events, words certainly do have power - the power to do good and the power to cause harm. The apostle Paul certainly knew that and so warned us to "not let any unwholesome talk" - or poisonous, destructive, or damaging words - come out of our mouths. But instead, he commanded us to say "only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ashley summed it up this way, "Be kind to everyone. To sit there and point out flaws is not OK. Point out beauty."
So today and everyday, may you and I be extra cautious to only say things that uplift and encourage others. Because, as Ashley pointed out and we all know, ill-spoken words can retain their power for a very, very long time.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that words can bring death or life to the listener and to us. Help us to be mindful of the things we say to others that we might lift them up rather than tear them down. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!!!
Humble and kind - Tim McGraw
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