Day 27: Ever want to reel in your words?

Today's reading — Proverbs 15

I grew up hearing "Think before you speak." I don't remember if it was my mom or dad or grandma, church or school, but this was a mantra spoken over me as I matured. 

I'm sure it helped curbed my tongue a time or two. But what probably made a bigger difference was screwing up. Sticking my foot in my mouth, which — incidentally — I still do from time to time. It was embarrassing and made me feel less of a person that I would say something rude, gossip about a friend or not think about a person's feelings before I spoke. That icky feeling made me not only more regretful but also more cautious in the future. 

God has a saying, too. It's a little more lengthy but way more introspective. 

Verse 28: The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil. 

That's right, when we just say things without thought, we are prone to sinning, to gushing evil. When we pause to think about what we're about to say, when we really ponder the words our tongue is forming and contemplate their consequences, we are acting with righteousness. 

When we do it, when we weigh our words, there are no icky feelings. It's just one way you can live more joyfully! I don't know about you, but happiness is what my heart desires. 


{thinking before I speak}
Amy