Swords can cause physical bleeding, pain, scars, loss of limb, and death. They are sharp. Cutting. Extremely painful. They require training and practice to be used properly and effectively with precision, aim, and strength. They are used defensively and offensively. They save lives. They end lives.
Words also can cause emotional bleeding, pain, scars, loss of limb, and death. The bleeding of a heart that is breaking, the pain from a searing comment, the scars of verbal abuse, the loss of trust, and the end of a relationship are all the result of words. And words, just like swords, are used defensively and offensively saving lives and ending lives.
We use them every day. But are we thinking about what happens because of our precision and our aim? Anyone who has been stabbed by a sword requires medical attention. And anyone who has been wounded by words suffers from a loss of well-being, strength, and wholeness, and needs to be covered with a soothing balm.
There are lots and lots of walking wounded all around us. They have been the unfortunate recipient of some piercing words that have caused damage and pain. The wounds are not visible to the eye like a bleeding cut or a missing arm. But they are still there. They show up as depression, anger, fear, unreasonableness, rudeness, isolation, sullenness, addictions, hopelessness, etc. The list of symptoms is quite long and is often misinterpreted.
It’s time to become healers instead of word-wielding terrorists. Instead of using judgment as the aim, use compassion. Look around. Start identifying wounds and administering healing remedies with words of kindness, gentleness, and grace. And you can know that you have been a curative force in someone’s life.
“There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword,
But the tongue of the wise promotes health.”
Proverbs 12:18