My heart aches thinking how short I fall when pondering today’s verse.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly. Proverbs 31:26
We’re continuing our look at the woman of Proverbs 31. We ladies have met here on Wednesdays for weeks now to share our girl stuff, to learn and grow together, and to encourage each other on our walks with the Lord. Guys, we won’t exclude you… you are welcome to join in! My husband is a faithful follower of my posts, even on Wednesdays.
Today, friends, in light of the above verse, I need to come clean.
Too often the words that come out of my mouth aren’t so worthwhile. Ask my family. They’ll tell you.
I wish I could say my words are always full of kindness, too. They aren’t.
My husband has received the worst of my words over the years. How he’s hung out with me for so long, I’ll never know. Only by the grace of God. And I’m thankful he has.
I think back to some of the awful words that have spewed out of this mouth of mine. I cringe. The worst ones I’ve said to my husband?
“I’m done, and I’m leaving.”
I was, and I did.
Matthew 12:34b reads, “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”
If we want to know what’s in our hearts, just listen to what’s coming out of our mouths.
It’s clear, the woman of Proverbs 31 allowed God to have His way with her heart, to have His way with her words.
As God led me to read His Word, and as I spent time with Him in prayer, I found things began to change. God transformed my heart from an awful, dark abyss into one that sought to glorify Him.
As God changed my heart, different words came out of my mouth.
Yet, I still can’t seem to say only worthwhile and kind words some days. I’ll always be a work in progress this side of eternity. I’m thankful God doesn’t give up on me.
Praise God, He not only changed my heart, He also saved my marriage.
A few thoughts to ponder…
- Do we take time to read God’s Word? Daily?
- Do we ask God to help us only speak words that are uplifting, encouraging and glorifying to Him?
- Do we pray for God to change anything in us that’s unpleasing to Him?
- Do we allow the Holy Spirit to convict us and change us, if necessary?
Would you pray with me?
Father God, thank you for the example You’ve set before us in the woman of Proverbs 31. Thank you for continuing to grow us into the women you want us to be. Father, we ask that you would guard our mouths and guide our words. May we only say uplifting, encouraging, worthwhile, and kind words that glorify You. Give us a desire to dig deep into your Word. Transform our hearts. We love you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Julie
(Today I’m linking up with Simply Beth and friends for Three Word Wednesday, and Holley Gerth for Coffee For Your Heart. Join us, won’t you?)
Praise God for taking our ugliness and making it beautiful and new. Praise God for your story…so beautifully shared here. I’m so glad I stopped by. Loved it!
Hi Karen! Thank you for stopping in today and for your words of encouragement. Yes, praise God for making our ugliness into something beautiful! Hope you’ve had a great Wednesday!
So brave of you Julie. Thank you for this post. Dropping in from 3 Word Wednesday with Beth.
Hi Sandra! Thank you for your uplifting words. Don’t you just love Three Word Wednesday?!! God bless you today!
Oh yes, I’ve fallen short in this area many times, Julie, and I’m so grateful for the grace I’ve received from others. The tongue is the tail of the heart, for sure. Thank you for sharing such important truths here today. I am blessed by your honesty and also by the evidence of God working through you!
Abby, I too am grateful for the grace others have extended to me as I’ve fallen so short with my words. I appreciate your words and heart here. I’m thankful God continues to refine us for Him! Blessings today!
I wrote on this not to long ago. Kindness was one of the first love dares and God has really been helping me in this area. You share good wisdom, Julie, because I have come to discover that the more time we spend with Him and the closer we become to Him the kinder our words become. We will never be perfect but God is also never done growing us to become more and more like Christ. Blessings. xoxo
Amen, Beth! I’m glad God doesn’t leave us where we begin on this journey with Him. He continues to mold us and shape us for His purposes. I’ll have to look back on your posts. I think I remember that one. I appreciate you hosting Three Word Wednesday today! You’re a blessing!
Oh, if I could take back some of the things that have come out of my mouth; some of the things I’ve done, the thoughts, etc. I think these are all stepping stones to bring us to where we reach the end of us and the beginning of our relationship with Christ. Thanks God for forgiveness and grace.
Yes, I thank God for His forgiveness and grace! I agree with you, Kim. God uses those unpleasant things we’ve said and done to bring us to Him. You have such wisdom here! Thank you for stopping in today. You blessed me!
I am using this exact verse in my post tomorrow. God must really want me to speak life! Thank you for being so open and sharing your experience!
I love it when that happens, Sarah! Thank you for stopping by. I’ll look for your post!