Prodigal:  Today, I brought my friend.  She has been listening to me talk about some of what you say and has decided that she would like to hear something encouraging today.

 

Me:  Well thank you!  I try to let the Lord guide me with what I should say so I do not say the wrong thing.  A lot of prayer is put into the words I write and I say.

 

Prodigal:  Do you have something to share today?

 

This is something that really touched my heart.  It comes from the book A Woman of Strength by Neva Coyle

 

The weary are everywhere.  People struggling with life need encouragement.  It’s up to us to reach out to such people with an uplifting word or deed of hope and help.  And I do; sometimes I do too much.

You see, an untaught tongue, even when attempting to give a word of encouragement, can get in God’s way of doing what he wants to do in someone else’s life.  It’s true.  Only when I seek him for his guidance can I make sure a word or deed meant to encourage is not only needed, but appropriate and in keeping with God’s will.

 

 

What is my point with all this.  Please watch your tongue.  Even if you think it sounds good at the moment.  Pray first.  You have no idea what is in the other person’s heart.  We are all different and we have different paths to take.  We can encourage each other but it just has to be encouraged by the Holy Spirit.

 

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.  Proverbs 12:18

 

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

wwwfaithincounseling.org