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Gentle Speech

June 22nd, 2023

Proverbs 15:1-5

In the book, The Help, Abileen cares for five-year-old Mae Mobley in a home that doesn’t have many good words for a five-year-old. Abileen fills that vacuum by repeating three phrases. “You are kind; you are smart; you are important.” Mae Mobley grows up with those gentle words that have the power to heal her from emotional neglect.

Gentle words heal. Quick words are usually unexamined words. That’s the problem. They bubble up so fast; we don’t think about their consequences.

Proverbs reminds us to make gentle words our guide. Gentle words have staying power; harsh words fan the fire.

Jesus was the master of gentle words. However, they were not weak words. His words changed the world. When Jesus asked us to follow Him, did we think it didn’t include our words?

Be the thermostat in heated conversations. Turn down the temperature. Use gentle words with strength and purpose, like Jesus did. They will prevent hurt and rejection as well as become redemptive agents in a world that has too few.

Author: Debbie Salter Goodwin