Sticks and Stones

“Good words are worth much, and cost little.”  -George Herbert

‘Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me’—is that not the stupidest things you’ve ever heard?  Words can hurt and often do.  The Bible says that we must “guard our hearts” (Prov. 4:23) and especially from toxic words, and sometimes this means toxic people.  You may never entirely escape your critics, but your inner circle of friends must be people that speak life and not death (Prov. 18:21) to your dreams, goals and future.  Build the habit of speaking life to your own circumstances as well as to others.  Too often people say whatever pops in their heads, usually negative—but instead let’s say decide that if we have something good to say, we say it.  Always.  Strive to be someone that people can’t get enough of, that people always leave feeling better about themselves after having talked with you.

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body (Proverbs 16:24, ESV).