T-H-I-N-K Before You Speak

The Bible has a lot to say about how we use our words. 

It's good to take inventory of your words while you're living here on earth because the Bible says that on judgement day, you will give an account for every useless word you ever spoke here. Wow!

If standing before God, trying to explain why you screamed at your kid or disrespected your husband when you could have chosen to honor them doesn't make you want to make better use of what falls from your lips, I don't know what would? The Bible is very clear about the power of words. 

I've been concerned with the atmosphere in my home lately. There's just been hatefulness, anger and strife in the air and I don't like it.

For example, I've noticed my daughter getting frustrated and angry a lot more lately. This just isn't like her. She is normally so sweet and agreeable. She hardly ever pushes boundaries, unless she herself is being pushed. I've noticed that when I'm in a really bad mood and being short and inattentive, she acts out.

Instead of blaming or punishing her, I decided to do an audit of my own actions and words and have caught myself being a little more harsh and curt than I'd like to be...it hasn't been pretty.

So, if  your family (or you) seem angry or if there's just a hateful atmosphere in your home, consider the words you're speaking to your children...your husband. 

I haven't been doing a good job of keeping my mouth in check, so it's no wonder why there's an icky spirit in my home.

I am going to be more mindful and choose to use my words for good and not for evil.

To lift up...not tear down.

So, I came up with an acronym and am going to stick on my refrigerator where I'll see it every day and be reminded of the impact my words have on everyone around me...including myself. 

THINK About Your Words...

Take a second before you actually speak.

Hear it in your head before you hear it come out of your mouth. How does it sound?

Imagine how your words will make the other person feel.

Negotiate a better, more respectful way to say what you're thinking.

Keep your words in check and keep your relationships intact.


Feel free to cut and paste this acronym and put it up on your own refrigerator or bathroom mirror to remind yourself that our words hold the power of life and death in them, so we should use them very wisely.