Waste Nothing

Don’t Waste Your Breath

What a waste we make of words. They gush out of us like a torrent, void of redeeming qualities. We speak before we think. We wound people carelessly. Though we curse not, we fail to bless; and therein we lose the opportunity to demonstrate grace and initiate healing. Words are weapons against our true adversary. We should use them skillfully to rebuke him.

But words are also tools with which to build one another up in faith. Are our tools sharp and well-maintained, or are our toolboxes cluttered with rusty tools? Are we using words for the advantage of the Kingdom of God, or are we wasting our breath on idle chatter? Who can estimate the value of a word of encouragement? What price can be placed on a word of sympathy?

How we underestimate the simple words of recognition, spoken in passing. If you could only speak one hundred words per week, what words would you speak? If time was running out and you were given an opportunity to speak the last word into someone’s life, what would you say? Time is running out. Tomorrow may be cancelled at any moment.

Choose words that save, and love, and heal. Decrease volume and increase value. A word is a terrible thing to waste. Practice 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”