Hold your tongue

Something that has been impressed on me over the past several years is how powerful words are.

We can bless or curse with our words, and Scripture says life and death is held in the things that come out our mouths. And I believe it, judging from the way I’ve felt when I’ve been at the receiving end of someone’s hurtful words, whether intentional or not.

But all too often, I’ve let thoughtless things come out of my mouth. And yesterday was an exercise in keeping my mouth shut and speaking what needed to be said (and nothing more) and speaking words that edify rather than tear down. That’s because yesterday was also a trial in patience and working well with others.

It’s not really something I need to go into here. Just suffice it to say, deadlines are important in publishing and sometimes people interpret deadlines and information the way they want it to be rather than the reality, and it really annoys me when people speak for the entire team when that person’s opinion is not in fact the opinion of the entire team.

It was a test in balancing holding my tongue and speaking the the truth in love.

Let’s hope today goes better!