Speaking

Another verse, similar to the one in yesterday’s devo:

Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them. (Proverbs 29)

To think before I speak might be a New Year’s goal I make every year.  This truly is an art and a gift, one that if we master it, we have achieved a great thing.

When we are angered, words fly out of our mouths that damage little ears that hear.  And words cannot be taken back, once they’re uttered.  The damage is done.

When we speculate and “think” something about someone, we speak degrading words of accusation and assumption, oftentimes to find out later we are completely wrong.  Again, damage is done.

When we are hurt and wounded, we even speak words against God, judging him to be a non-caring father, one who abandons and forgets.  And yet he’s right there, all the time, to hold us and keep us from fear.

So how do we choose to not speak in haste, and thus keep our hope intact?

We must pray and ask God to tame our tongue, settle our hearts, and we must train our minds to keep hope alive in Him – the author and finisher of our faith.