Hurtful Words

I was reminded tonight of how we must be very careful of the words we say. Even in jest. You might not know what someone is going through and your clever words, meant to delight, can have just the opposite effect and cause embarrassment and a heavy heart. This is especially so overseas, because EVERYTHING is exacerbated and exaggerated.

We know that "many a truth have been spoken in jest", so the receiver of the words ponders what he has done to justify the harangue. If the receiver is already feeling stressed or overwhelmed with circumstances, then they could very well spend the rest of the day trying to over-analyze the situation, when in fact, the speaker may have truly had something to say and just said it "wrong" or "too strong". I know, for I am usually guilty of trying to be cute and end up being hurtful. I got a taste of my own medicine tonight at a dinner meeting.

It is certainly no big deal, but I am sure pondering the implications that my own words have on others when I am trying to be the center of attention or when I think I am being clever or when I think about a split-second after I have spoken.

It is bitter medicine; but it is good medicine.

This is for me:
Eph 4:29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. (NASB)