WHAT A SURPRISE!

Two men had not seen each other for quite some time and were renewing their friendship.

“How’s your wife, Fred?” asked Al.

“Haven’t you heard? She’s in heaven,” said Fred.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” replied Al. Catching himself, he apologized and said, “I mean, I’m glad.”

But it still did not sound right, so he said, “What I really mean is that I’m surprised.”

Seeing the confusion on Fred’s face, Al tried once again. “What I’m trying to say is that I’m sure you are relieved.”

Sometimes, no matter how hard we try, our words just do not come out right. We get them twisted or turned in the wrong direction. What we want to say is not what we actually say. Our words become quite discouraging or devastating to the person we are talking to.

The wise writer of Proverbs said, “We gather our thoughts, but the Lord gives us the right answer.” When others come to us for help or counsel, we must always be thoughtful and ask the Lord to guide us as we talk. When we speak without thinking or give advice without carefully considering all of the possibilities or alternatives, we may do more harm than good. We must watch our words, put a “guard” on our lips, and speak after thinking.

Prayer: Help us Father, to be careful in all that we say. May our words encourage and enlighten. May we speak only after thinking, wanting to be helpful. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:    We gather our thoughts, but the Lord gives us the right answer. Proverbs 16:1