The Power of Words - Proverbs 12:18

The words of the reckless pierce like swords,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (Proverbs 12:18)

Dear Father,

A lesson you have taught me (and sadly you must continue to teach me) is the power of a word spoken. One of the gifts you have given me is the ability to confront those who need confronting. It is not a gift I enjoy. I often wish that you would give that gift to someone else. Others are given the gift of encouragement, though I strive to develop this gift to a greater and greater degree. The lesson that you have taught and continue to teach me is that words of correction and accountability need to be carefully and sparingly delivered. Because when they are delivered recklessly, they pierce like swords. And that I should strive, rather, to use words to heal the broken and struggling.

I pray that these children learn this lesson early in their lives. I pray that they do have the courage to stand up and confront when necessary, but that confrontation should, for the most part, be confined to defending the defenseless against oppression and standing up to the arrogant who seek by force of power to impose their will on others or to destroy your work.  But I pray they learn that confrontation to address sin should first be delivered with gentleness and love, not harshness. But I also pray that when gentleness does not work, they have the courage to confront with tough love, the redemptive love that you apply to each of us when we stubbornly hold to our errant path.

But as they develop the wisdom to apply admonition and, when needed, holy anger, I pray that they err on the side of mercy. That, on balance, they are people of grace, mercy and healing. May their nature be to lift up the struggling and walk beside them, to be more cheerleaders than drill sergeants. I pray they become known as Barnabases, with the ability, only when necessary, to be Pauls.

Amen