"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." Ephesians 4:29 ESV
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.This is the saying that all of us are taught growing up, yet it is far from the truth. Words are extremely powerful. Words can be encouraging or degrading, honest or deceitful, destructive or constructive, but the choice is ours. We choose which words come out of our mouths. Do you choose, daily, to speak words that build up, or words that tear down?
As I have talked about numerous times, in my previous blogs, communication is a key element in any relationship. Most think communication just means talking with your spouse and dealing with situations. This is true, but there are more elements that embody the word "communication". We need to keep an open line of communication between us and our spouse, but we also need to be mindful of what and how we are communicating.
We've been discussing "The 5 Love Languages" by Gary Chapman, and as you can see today's focus is on the love language: words of affirmation. As I noted in my previous post, when I took the love language test, words of affirmation came in third on how I feel loved. As for my husband, Seth, words of affirmation is his second love language. This means that words mean more to Seth, than they do for myself. It seems as though, for most men, that words of affirmation are most important to them. With this being said, why does it seem as though a lot of women do the opposite?
I hear it all the time. Wives complaining about their husbands not doing what they are "supposed" to, husbands complaining about their wives "nagging" them or even the other way around. Let me just stop there. Ladies, if you are constantly complaining about everything your husband does wrong and never praise him for what he does right, he will just shut down. He will feel as though he can do nothing to get your approval, and that is major for a man. Men take pride in how their wives, friends, co-workers and family view them. I read an awesome status on Facebook posted by "Marriage", the other day, it read as follows:
"If you want your spouse to improve in certain areas, compliment what they're doing right instead of nagging them about what they're doing wrong. Encouragement makes us want to improve, but insults only make us want to give up."
Men and women both need to feel loved and encouraged by their spouse. If they don't feel that way, they won't respond to you with love. It's a vicious cycle that has to be broken, and the only one who can do that is yourself. Be mindful of what you say and how you say it. Build up your spouse. Forget the things that you want them to change, and accept them for who they are. Encouraging words are more powerful than you think, but so are discouraging words. Tame that tongue. Be an encourager and the biggest cheerleader for your spouse.
These Bible verses say so much, in such few words. Take them to heart and mediate on them.
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.This is the saying that all of us are taught growing up, yet it is far from the truth. Words are extremely powerful. Words can be encouraging or degrading, honest or deceitful, destructive or constructive, but the choice is ours. We choose which words come out of our mouths. Do you choose, daily, to speak words that build up, or words that tear down?
As I have talked about numerous times, in my previous blogs, communication is a key element in any relationship. Most think communication just means talking with your spouse and dealing with situations. This is true, but there are more elements that embody the word "communication". We need to keep an open line of communication between us and our spouse, but we also need to be mindful of what and how we are communicating.
We've been discussing "The 5 Love Languages" by Gary Chapman, and as you can see today's focus is on the love language: words of affirmation. As I noted in my previous post, when I took the love language test, words of affirmation came in third on how I feel loved. As for my husband, Seth, words of affirmation is his second love language. This means that words mean more to Seth, than they do for myself. It seems as though, for most men, that words of affirmation are most important to them. With this being said, why does it seem as though a lot of women do the opposite?
I hear it all the time. Wives complaining about their husbands not doing what they are "supposed" to, husbands complaining about their wives "nagging" them or even the other way around. Let me just stop there. Ladies, if you are constantly complaining about everything your husband does wrong and never praise him for what he does right, he will just shut down. He will feel as though he can do nothing to get your approval, and that is major for a man. Men take pride in how their wives, friends, co-workers and family view them. I read an awesome status on Facebook posted by "Marriage", the other day, it read as follows:
"If you want your spouse to improve in certain areas, compliment what they're doing right instead of nagging them about what they're doing wrong. Encouragement makes us want to improve, but insults only make us want to give up."
Men and women both need to feel loved and encouraged by their spouse. If they don't feel that way, they won't respond to you with love. It's a vicious cycle that has to be broken, and the only one who can do that is yourself. Be mindful of what you say and how you say it. Build up your spouse. Forget the things that you want them to change, and accept them for who they are. Encouraging words are more powerful than you think, but so are discouraging words. Tame that tongue. Be an encourager and the biggest cheerleader for your spouse.
These Bible verses say so much, in such few words. Take them to heart and mediate on them.
"Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body". Proverbs 16:24 ESV
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