The following "thoughts" are from the FamilyLife Marriage Bible, written by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. I thought this was a great reminder to all of us married folks of the critical importance of our "words" to each other. Hope this is an encouragement to you!!
Verbally Plant Good Seeds
When God created the universe, He used a unique vehicle – words. The psalmist records how God created all that we see: “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made…For He spoke and it was done: He commanded and it stood fast” (Psalm 33:6,9, italics added)
When God wanted to free Israel from brutal slavery in Egypt, again He used words: “He spoke, and there came swarms of flies, lice in all their territory…He spoke, and locust came, young locusts without number (Psalm 105:31, 34, italics added)
God conceived human life in His mind and gave it birth through His words. He could have fashioned creation gently in His hands – yet He chose to use words. He spoke, and it “stood fast.”
In a similar way, the words you use can be powerful and even life-giving to your spouse. One of the most important things about a married couple is what they say to each other. When positive words flow, the relationship grows robust and flourishes. But if the lines of understanding and positive communication to down permanently, it is only a matter of time before the marriage dies. You can create life in your mate with your positive words, or you can inflict destruction with negative and neglectful words.
During World War II, many factories in the US were converted into manufacturing firms producing ammunition, ships, and other wartime resources. Posted throughout those factories were little signs with these words: “Loose lips sink ship”. Today, we need little signs in our homes that read, “Loose lips sink partnerships.”
Proverbs 12:25 is clear, “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes him glad.” Notice the impact of a “good word”. Gladness comes from just one well-placed, positive word.
Be sure to appreciate the power of words. They can assault your mate or honor him or her as a valuable person who had God-given worth and assets. Your efforts to give unconditional acceptance will go for naught if you sow pessimistic, critical, or unsympathetic words into the heart of your mate.
When God created the universe, He used a unique vehicle – words. The psalmist records how God created all that we see: “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made…For He spoke and it was done: He commanded and it stood fast” (Psalm 33:6,9, italics added)
When God wanted to free Israel from brutal slavery in Egypt, again He used words: “He spoke, and there came swarms of flies, lice in all their territory…He spoke, and locust came, young locusts without number (Psalm 105:31, 34, italics added)
God conceived human life in His mind and gave it birth through His words. He could have fashioned creation gently in His hands – yet He chose to use words. He spoke, and it “stood fast.”
In a similar way, the words you use can be powerful and even life-giving to your spouse. One of the most important things about a married couple is what they say to each other. When positive words flow, the relationship grows robust and flourishes. But if the lines of understanding and positive communication to down permanently, it is only a matter of time before the marriage dies. You can create life in your mate with your positive words, or you can inflict destruction with negative and neglectful words.
During World War II, many factories in the US were converted into manufacturing firms producing ammunition, ships, and other wartime resources. Posted throughout those factories were little signs with these words: “Loose lips sink ship”. Today, we need little signs in our homes that read, “Loose lips sink partnerships.”
Proverbs 12:25 is clear, “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes him glad.” Notice the impact of a “good word”. Gladness comes from just one well-placed, positive word.
Be sure to appreciate the power of words. They can assault your mate or honor him or her as a valuable person who had God-given worth and assets. Your efforts to give unconditional acceptance will go for naught if you sow pessimistic, critical, or unsympathetic words into the heart of your mate.
From the FamilyLife Marriage Bible, Dennis and Barbary Rainey
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