Words that Build a Better World

Thursday, February 25th
Words that Build a Better World
By: Sheila Sonon

I’m always looking for signs that winter is almost over. The snow melts , the days stretch a little longer, and I start thinking about putting the shovel and winter coat away for the season. There’s something hopeful about it. What looked frozen and lifeless just weeks ago is getting ready to bloom.

Paul doesn’t pretend people are naturally gentle with their words. In fact, he describes how harmful and reckless we can be. But then he paints a different picture of what grace does in a person’s life. He writes, “Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled…” (Titus 2:2). He urges women not to be slanderers (2:3) but to teach what is good, to be kind and self-controlled (2:4–5).  Leaders are to show “soundness of speech that cannot be condemned” (2:8). And why? “For the grace of God has appeared… It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness… and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives” (2:11–12).

That hits home when I think about how easily words can hurt. A quick “You never…” in a marriage. A sarcastic jab between friends. A sharp email at work. The cold tone in a text that gets completely misunderstood. Words can freeze a relationship faster than any February storm.

What can we do to use our words as something other than a weapon? Maybe it starts with a breath before we speak. Not hitting “send” right away. Choosing to have a hard conversation face to face instead of through a screen—because tone is never interpreted the same over text. Speaking with respect and love, even if the outcome doesn’t go our way. And if it doesn’t? We know we followed God’s way. And after all, isn’t that what we want—to be doing His work?