By
Dana Rausch
/ March 12, 2013
The family and friends gathered for the celebration. And now, the tables are gone, dishes are washed, and decorations have been taken down. The only evidence of the party that remains is a cluster of balloons. They were once bright and flowing, yet now are losing their luster. Blowing in the breeze, and deflating……Reminds me of what can happen to relationships…….
Hurtful words take the air out of us.
They rob us of security, acceptance and belonging. They deprive us from nurturing strong and enduring relationships……..
Sadly, it appears that has become the way of the world.
Psalm 64:3 says, “They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows.”
I have been pierced with arrows of bitter words. Have you?
The book of Proverbs has many things to say about words.
The negative outcomes of words are: makes tempers flare, crushes the spirit, destroy friends, constant quarrels, stirs up trouble, causes ruin, and lying reveals hatred toward its victim.
Harsh words make tempers flare (15:1) A deceitful tongue crushes the spirit (15:4) The mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words (15:28) Their words are a destructive blaze (16:27) Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels (18:6) The words of the wicked conceal violent intentions (10:11) The mouth of the wicked speaks perverse words (10:32) With their words, they destroy their friends (11:9) The wicked are trapped by their own words (12:1) The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush (12:6) Their words always stir up trouble (24:2) Smooth words may hide a wicked heart (26:23) People may cover their hatred with pleasant words (26:24) A lying tongue hates its victims (26:28) Flattering words cause ruin (26:28)
Someone says something hurtful to another, And they share it with another,
Who shares it with another,
Whom also shares it with another…
Before you know it a wild fire of hurtful words is out of control.
Tempers flared and embers ignited – similar to a brush fire.
I find myself today, surrounded by walls of fire burning all around me. Just when I think it’s contained and the flames are subsiding…someone spews more hurtful words. Comparable to dousing kindling with fuel, the fire jumps the boundary lines, and as a result the fire continues….
Although I have no firefighter abilities….I do know this:
I cannot stay close to the fire and not get burned.
So what is a person to do? Share with me your thoughts of resolution…….and tomorrow I will share mine…..
