“A spoken reprimand is better than approval that’s never expressed” (Proverbs 27:5, The Message)

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the power of words to harm and to heal, to cut and to cure, to wound and to make whole. But more potentially harmful is the silence of words not spoken.

Always let the people in your life know that you love them. Always express that love in words and don’t assume they automatically know they are loved and how much they are loved. Tell them.

Always be thinking of ways to encourage and bless and lift up your friends. But don’t just stop there. Let those words of encouragement and blessing find an outlet, whether through a text or a post or through spoken words. Never assume that encouragement is not needed. You never know but that word that seems to you to not have much meaning can turn a person’s day around or change their outlook on their circumstances.

When a gentle reprimand is needed, don’t be afraid to speak the truth in love (with the key part being “in love”). I don’t want to have to guess if I have offended or bothered you. Tell me, so I can learn and not repeat the same offence the next time.

But definitely if you err, err on the side of the positive. Be as creative and free with words of affirmation and blessing as you can. I think for every negative word of correction you speak, you need to speak four positives into someone’s life.

Be sure to always look for the best in people, for the promise in their mess, the hope in their bleak outlook. Let them know that just as Jesus won’t ever give up on them, neither will you. Remind them often of their priceless worth in God’s eyes. Help them see themselves they way God sees them. I know, because those words have blessed and encouraged me beyond my ability to express with words. I want that same feeling for you.

Amen and amen.