Words, You are so Powerful

It's Only Words (from Daily Encounter)

"A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver," and, "An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up" (Proverbs 12:25; 25:11, NIV).

One of my favorite songs sung by the Bee Gees a number of years ago went something like this: "It's only words and words are all I have to take your heart away."

Words can be a force far beyond their weight, and can have an impact far beyond their immediate reach. With words we can make people laugh—or cry; respond positively—or negatively; draw people closer to us—or drive them away. With words we can inspire people to noble acts of kindness or, if we are so inclined, to evil deeds of wickedness. Compare the words of Martin Luther King with those of Hitler.

And while you and I will never be a King or a Hitler, our words can and do have a lasting impact especially on our spouse and on our children—as well as on our friends, associates, and people in our circle of influence. I know of one mother who told her daughter that she wasn't wanted and that child, now an adult, is still traumatized by that rejection. And speaking personally, I can still remember words of encouragement I received as a young man growing up—words that have stayed with me all of my adult life.

So never forget the impact your words can have on those you love the most and those who are closest to you—and even on strangers. Remember today's scripture verse: "An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up," and that:

Words spoken may soon pass away
and forgotten me,
but when spoken in love and kindness
are like beautiful flowers,
and even though they fade and die
from conscious memory,
their fragrance lives on
embedded in the deeper mind-
forever.

My Thoughts:

I wonder how many of you have subscribed to the "Daily Encounter" since I last email you. It never fails to encourage me and speak the right words to me at the right time most of the time, just like the one above.

I was not feeling too good lately, both physically and emotionally. I don't even feel like reading blogs as often as I used to do.

I know how important words are (both spoken and written)... either bringing life or death to a person. Blogs are mainly written words.

The words said to me in my childhood days remain with me even now and they almost kill me literally. On the other hand, the words promised by God have saved me when I am almost dead.

Yes, simple words said or written by some of you commenting at my blog mean a lot to me too... they can make me cry with joy. Thank you for your encouraging words, my friends.

Yet, some comments can make me cry hurting sometimes, like one of the blog I visited and commented recently. The writer (someone I know) wrote a poem about his warm feeling towards a gal (logical deduction tells me it's a gal, though he didn't say who or what the subject is). Well, I congratulated him... erm, but I was 'shot down' by his reply to my comment. *sigh* Yes, I might have got the wrong impression of what he was trying to express, but he could have been more gentle with his words in his reply. I promise not to comment there again as I felt like an idiot, guessing wrongly on his hidden messages all the time.

Words, you are so powerful...
you can heal and can kill.
Words, please be gentle with me...
I am sensitive to you and can feel.
Words, please understand me...
I can't understand hidden messages.
Words, please stand by me...
I am lost without you.
- Bee