The Weight of Words
Words carry a lot of weight, don't they? They have the power to build up or to tear down. If one thoughtless word can bring you down, what can a string of them do? I confess that I have often said things without thinking and, as a result, caused great and undue pain to people around me. But I really try to be careful.
At work, I especially make an attempt to be selective with the words I choose. I try and express kindness and reflect the love of God in my actions and words. I often find myself biting my tongue so as not to come across rudely or unkind. I may not always succeed, but I always try.
I was reminded today that that is not always the case with some people. Soon after arriving at work this morning, I was approached by a co-worker who was told about my blog and had paid it a visit. Her response was to make fun of me...for blogging, I guess. Seriously, like in junior high. The few times that I saw her throughout the day she was always chuckling at me. I was literally taken aback by her words; laughing at me and implying I was not only wasting my time, but that surely my wife must have something to say about this and the amount of time I was wasting on this ridiculous thing (For the record, my wife is pretty proud of this little blog. She understands ministry often has different faces and the joy I get through doing it...I'd say I'm blessed to have someone like her).
I kept thinking that if this person was like this now, well into her thirties, what must she have been like at thirteen! Now she is such a busy person that she just couldn't see how anyone could have time for something like this. Keep in mind, I never onced asked for this person's opinion or, as far as I know, ever did anything to ask for this kind of treatment from her. She just felt it her calling, I suppose, to let me know it...and I felt so blessed.
Now, I understand that some people have a healthier dose of self-importance than they should have and in this situation there is something of a well-known reputation for being rude, so I tried to keep it in perspective, but I was especially floored that this was someone who professes to be a Christian. I can handle it when unbelievers attack or make fun of me, but I was unprepared for it in this situation when it is completely antithetical to the nature of Christ.
Anyway, the point of this post is not to harp on this particular situation as much as it is to serve as a reminder to all of us of the weight of our words. With just a few careless words and chuckles, I was brought very low for most of the day...there is power in words. I know I have often been guilty of aggressive posting when something happens in the public arena that I disagree with or think is ridiculous. To a degree, I still think that is legitimate. There are often very ridiculous things that happen in society that should be called out for what they are in hopes that we don't come to embrace them as the norm. However, we must draw the line at demonization and tearing down individuals. I say this as a reminder to myself as much as to anybody, but it applies universally.
In Colossians 4:6, Paul says, "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person." I think that should be a goal for which we all strive...don't you?
At work, I especially make an attempt to be selective with the words I choose. I try and express kindness and reflect the love of God in my actions and words. I often find myself biting my tongue so as not to come across rudely or unkind. I may not always succeed, but I always try.
I was reminded today that that is not always the case with some people. Soon after arriving at work this morning, I was approached by a co-worker who was told about my blog and had paid it a visit. Her response was to make fun of me...for blogging, I guess. Seriously, like in junior high. The few times that I saw her throughout the day she was always chuckling at me. I was literally taken aback by her words; laughing at me and implying I was not only wasting my time, but that surely my wife must have something to say about this and the amount of time I was wasting on this ridiculous thing (For the record, my wife is pretty proud of this little blog. She understands ministry often has different faces and the joy I get through doing it...I'd say I'm blessed to have someone like her).
I kept thinking that if this person was like this now, well into her thirties, what must she have been like at thirteen! Now she is such a busy person that she just couldn't see how anyone could have time for something like this. Keep in mind, I never onced asked for this person's opinion or, as far as I know, ever did anything to ask for this kind of treatment from her. She just felt it her calling, I suppose, to let me know it...and I felt so blessed.
Now, I understand that some people have a healthier dose of self-importance than they should have and in this situation there is something of a well-known reputation for being rude, so I tried to keep it in perspective, but I was especially floored that this was someone who professes to be a Christian. I can handle it when unbelievers attack or make fun of me, but I was unprepared for it in this situation when it is completely antithetical to the nature of Christ.
Anyway, the point of this post is not to harp on this particular situation as much as it is to serve as a reminder to all of us of the weight of our words. With just a few careless words and chuckles, I was brought very low for most of the day...there is power in words. I know I have often been guilty of aggressive posting when something happens in the public arena that I disagree with or think is ridiculous. To a degree, I still think that is legitimate. There are often very ridiculous things that happen in society that should be called out for what they are in hopes that we don't come to embrace them as the norm. However, we must draw the line at demonization and tearing down individuals. I say this as a reminder to myself as much as to anybody, but it applies universally.
In Colossians 4:6, Paul says, "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person." I think that should be a goal for which we all strive...don't you?
Labels: David C. Price
posted by DAVID C. PRICE at 1/30/2006 02:40:00 PM
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