Guard Your Mouth
Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3 NIV
Recently, while taking a couple of pieces of toast out of the oven, I accidentally and carelessly bumped the top of my right hand on the heating element. I instantly felt the searing pain and the skin was gone. Even though it was a small burn, I knew it would hurt for a while, especially if warm or hot water hit it. It's amazing how such a small thing can become so large as the pain lingers.
I don't know if it has happened to you, but I have also had small burns on my heart. A careless, thoughtless word can cause lingering pain, and can certainly hurt the relationship if left untreated. I know there are angry, wounded, hateful people who intend to harm others. But that is another "animal". More often our hurts come from those who actually love us. And most often the intention is not to cause pain or harm. It is just the result of carelessness ... not thinking through the impact of the chosen words.
At first, I covered the burn on my hand to keep it clean, and to protect it from hot water. Eventually, I used creams on it, and it slowly began to heal. But after a while, it started to look as though it may be infected, and I had to change my treatment. I decided to pour hydrogen peroxide on it several times a day, and the results were amazing! It began to heal more quickly and signs of possible infection disappeared.
You know, I also recently had one of those heart "burns", and I really felt the sting. My initial response has been to retreat a little ... I guess it is the protective mode to guard my heart from further hurt. But as I have given it more thought, I have decided that I need to pour truth all over it rather than let it keep festering, resulting in a harmful "infection" in the relationship. And the truth is this ... What was said, was said out of love and concern, not at all with the intention to inflict pain. Sometimes, in fact, oftentimes, we just don't get it right. We choose words without being particularly careful, and they can hurt, even when that is not our intention.
I am so thankful for the grace and forgiveness shown to me on the many occasions when I have been careless and thoughtless in my communication with those I love. It is a constant giving and receiving of grace and forgiveness in friendships ... in family ... in the body of Christ. "Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others." And that is how we are healed.
Father, it is so easy to blurt out some thoughts or feelings without thinking. Please help me to be sensitive to others when I am speaking, and to be sensitive to your presence in my conversations. Please watch over the door of my lips, Lord. Amen.
© 2023 Connie Caston McMaster All rights reserved
Photo by Julien L on Unsplash