Words

One writer compared our hurtful, mis-spoken words to a bad golf shot. You know immediately the ball is off target and you may mutter "come back here",  but it is too late.  My golf partners will often say they wish for a "do-over" on shots like that. The ball has been played and now all you can do is chase it down with the intention of making things right again. The same with ill-spoken words, once they are out of your mouth and you realize the damage you just caused, all you can do is make things right again.

How easy it is for me to fall into a conversation about another and before I  realize it I  am not saying anything that resembles helpfulness in building that person up. In fact, I often find myself in the rough, so to speak, shamed and  contrite while my words play back in my mind.

In life, just as in golf, making things right may be easy or it may be difficult. How much trouble are you in? Is this going to cost you one or two penalty strokes(or penances)? I know that in the game of golf I have little choice if I want to continue with the round. Take my medicine and play on. In the game of life, however, the options are many and one such option-avoidance, is the easiest. Avoiding the destruction your words just created might be the easiest, but it can be the costliest as well. 

God wants me in place where I recognize my sin almost as soon as it leaves my mouth. He would prefer it never roll off my tongue in the first place, but being human, perfection is still a goal! God forgives these human frailties, but He also instructs us on watching our tongue. Words can be so hurtful, even in the most innocent of situations. I pray for guidance and help in this area. I would much rather be known for qualities like being helpful and building up others than as one constantly chasing after thoughtless words and wishing for "do-overs" that may never come. 

We do best when opening our mouths to follow Paul's pattern as taught to the Ephesians: "[Say] only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" (Ephesians 4:29).