Honeycomb

You’ve most likely heard the phrase, “put your foot in your mouth,” and maybe you’ve even experienced this unpleasant event in your own life. It’s when you’ve said something you shouldn’t have and you wish you could take it back. Feet usually spend hours in hot sweaty socks and shoes, and they don’t sound all that appetizing. So, we definitely want to avoid doing that.

Another phrase that gives us caution about our words reminds us that, “we may have to eat our words.” I don’t know about you but I’d prefer to eat sweet words rather than bitter ones. I want my words to taste pleasant on my tongue and leave no sour aftertaste.

We have a lot less regret when we think about what we’re going to say before we let it pop out of our mouths. I have a friend who carefully considers every word before she speaks it. I admire her so much! Her words are kind and encouraging even when she’s giving some correction. The vast amount of time she spends in prayer helps train her up in being quick to listen. She holds her tongue until you’re finished speaking and then thoughtfully responds. I don’t think she’s ever interrupted or rushed me. As she listens to every one of your words, you realize that she’s praying even as you speak. The words that come out of her mouth are always a blessing, because as she listens to you, she’s also listening for the Lord’s wisdom. She is the perfect example of quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. I honestly don’t remember ever seeing her angry.

Proverbs 16:24, “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”

Ecclesiastes 5:2, “Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.”