Apr 26 2008
Words of Strength
by Max Lucado
“When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need—words that will help others become stronger.”
Ephesians 4:29
Before you speak, ask: Will what I’m about to say help others become stronger?
You have the ability, with your words, to make a person stronger. Your words are to their soul what a vitamin is to their body. If you had food and saw someone starving, would you not share it? If you had water and saw someone dying of thirst, would you not give it? Of course you would. Then won’t you do the same for their hearts? Your words are food and water!
Do not withhold encouragement from the discouraged.
Do not keep affirmation from the beaten down!
Speak words that make people stronger. Believe in them as God has believed in you.
That is so true. I must always watch what I’m thinking at all time. So I can say it is good in christ.
Words can, indeed build up a person. They can also destroy self-confidence or break someone’s heart. Let us always think before speaking and say only those things that will give strength.
beautiful
This short piece has really made me think. I know only too well how someones else cruel words can crush you but have never really thought how saying the right thing can build you. From now on I am going to make a concerted effort to be positive in all that I say and do.
I agree as words are the last thing a person will hear. We must be mindful.
How I wish people in management positions would hear all of this. Rather than tear a person down, Correct the problem needed correcting rather than tear the person down as a whole. Find the good in the person and help them become better, by showing them what needs to be corrected. In other words, do not break a persons spirit because of one small error, but show them the error and teach them how it can be avoided, while not totaling the person to nothing. Encourage them to do better, not threaten them as if they were without any ability