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Proverbs 15:4 NIV

Ever seen someone with a crushed spirit? Not a pretty sight, not at all. Teachers, coaches, parents, bosses and even preachers have all been guilty of crushing spirits. Thankfully most don’t do it intentionally and move quickly to repair the damage caused. And repair is a much greater task than crushing is. It is said that it takes ten positive comments to repair one negative one. Sadly there are some who find an unhealthy pleasure in crushing another’s spirit. Michael Hyatt says, “Be careful with your words. Once they are said, they can be only forgiven, not forgotten.” Considering that we are all made in the image of our creator there is hardly any act that is more evil or dark then the intentional crushing of another’s spirit. Doing this to a child is the worst but it is also done to adults all the time. Bosses or even other coworkers can be guilty of targeting others in the work place. If you are reading this and having a hard time imagining it’s true I’m grateful for your experience or naïveté. My challenge today is that we all work to be the soothing tongue that Solomon refers to. You see as evil as the crushing tongue is the soothing one speaking words of encouragement and life are ultimately even more powerful. There is a reason Jesus is referred to as “The Word”. Words can change lives, as we’ve seen, for better or worse. Today let your words be instruments of Gods love and peace. #BeTheEdge

 

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians‬ ‭4:29‬ ‭NIV‬‬