Get the appWiser and Happier: Special Military Edition from Time of GraceSample
Talking and Listening: Heal
“You are so stupid.” “You’re worthless.” “You will never amount to anything.” “I hate you.” “You are such a loser.” I hope you have never heard those words, and I hope that you’ve never said them. But a great many people you know have been beaten down with words like those.
Words like those can damage people permanently. Our world is full of wounded adults who were badly hurt as children long ago. But that’s where you come in: “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” (Proverbs 12:18).
I really don’t have to detail for you the wounds and injuries that an IED or mortar attack can cause. You’ve been well briefed on what the enemy would like to do to you, and you’re taking the proper precautions to stay safe. But we are kidding ourselves if we think that lasting wounds can only be inflicted by shots, slashes, and explosions. Some of the most long-lasting hurts are the hurts that come from words.
Wounded warriors spend weeks, months, and sometimes even years in recovery. Our wounded spirits have been healed, and are still in the process of being healed, by the gospel’s love messages from God. What a thrill it is to be useful to God by passing on his kindness to people who are starving for it. Let’s practice: “Great job!” “I really like what you’ve done with your home.” “I appreciate you so much.” “Thanks for being my friend.” “I value your advice.” “I love you.”
“You are so stupid.” “You’re worthless.” “You will never amount to anything.” “I hate you.” “You are such a loser.” I hope you have never heard those words, and I hope that you’ve never said them. But a great many people you know have been beaten down with words like those.
Words like those can damage people permanently. Our world is full of wounded adults who were badly hurt as children long ago. But that’s where you come in: “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” (Proverbs 12:18).
I really don’t have to detail for you the wounds and injuries that an IED or mortar attack can cause. You’ve been well briefed on what the enemy would like to do to you, and you’re taking the proper precautions to stay safe. But we are kidding ourselves if we think that lasting wounds can only be inflicted by shots, slashes, and explosions. Some of the most long-lasting hurts are the hurts that come from words.
Wounded warriors spend weeks, months, and sometimes even years in recovery. Our wounded spirits have been healed, and are still in the process of being healed, by the gospel’s love messages from God. What a thrill it is to be useful to God by passing on his kindness to people who are starving for it. Let’s practice: “Great job!” “I really like what you’ve done with your home.” “I appreciate you so much.” “Thanks for being my friend.” “I value your advice.” “I love you.”
Scripture
About this Plan
The experience of serving your country overseas--and sometimes seeing firsthand man’s inhumanity to man--may teach you important lessons about life while turning your stomach at the same time. But recognize that God has an even better way for us to learn life wisdom, a way that continually draws us closer to him no matter how far from family or church we might be. Because of his great love for us, he would much rather make us wiser through words. In this way we wouldn’t be sadder but wiser; we would be wiser and happier. The Bible’s book of Proverbs is an absolute gold mine of wisdom for the daily decisions you must make. It will help you develop your personal values and tune your life’s agenda more closely to resemble God’s.
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We would like to thank Time of Grace Ministry for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: www.timeofgrace.org
