Words don't come easy?

Being able to manage 4 Saturday shifts in my second/intermittent job last month (with the help of a week off from my main one!) is so exciting for me. Isn't it often the way, that it's not until we look back that we can see just how much God has done in our lives? That I can manage such a socially demanding full time job really feels such a miracle for me, let alone a second job at weekends as well. (Although, I use the word 'work' lightly for some of these shifts, as they're Saturdays & I'm the extra 'relief' staff member.)

I've realised how much I enjoy the interaction, not just with the people who live in the homes, of whom I am becoming really fond, but also the other staff, many of whom I know quite well now; each time I do a shift I'll be with someone different and it's really nice.

However, a recent shift highlighted how even slower I am to improve in my character while my health crawls towards improvement. As soon as I walked in; one of the staff, who I'd never worked with before, practically ignored me throughout the entire shift. How rude! I didn't know another guy either so it was quite weird; but at least he was friendly & inclusive. But don't it make a difference in how you feel, when someone seems to ignore you so completely.

And I found myself reacting by internally criticising the way she worked with the service users & biting my tongue not to verbalise it, by contradicting her for example. I realised my attitude towards her stemmed from her attitude towards me. As the my other colleague said (talking about a service user) 'being ignored is so aggravating, it makes me just want to go up to the person & shake them'. It's so true! But it doesn't justify fostering a bad attitude towards them which will inevitably spill out in words that shouldn't be said. (This story does have a happy ending by the way; she gave me a friendly smile at when I said goodbye; and all was restored!)

But it made me think about how some people react differently to the way we behave towards them, depending on how secure they are, their background maybe, their present circumstances. Some feel like me & others probably wouldn't have cared. But we should still approach everyone with the same attitude that we would like to receive from others. And - an even better indication - with the clear guidelines we are given in the bible.

This is a key verse for me: 'Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak & slow to become angry'. (James 1 v 19)

I can be so quick to react in anger sometimes. When using the word angry it can, of course, encompass various shades, it doesn't have to be extreme, an irritation is a form of still anger I think. Anger manifests itself in different ways. And being ignored might trigger it ... but negative words ... now they can sure sting & linger, can't they! And it's so easy to speak them; reactively in some way, or defensively - may be just as damaging as planned unkind words; I am guilty of the former, not the latter. But are they equally bad in God's eyes? That verse would indicate that.

The power of words for good, on the other hand' is huge, isn't it? The fact that one of the names for Jesus is the 'word' of God shows just how much. And I can be SO built up by a few kinds words from someone, it's just ridiculous! As much as I will struggle with being ignored or spoken to negatively-not-in-love - some encouraging words from someone can really heal.

Acts 20 v 2 shows Paul speaking 'words of encouragement' to the people
This passage in Colossians :I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.

Paul's emphasis on people being encouraged at heart is the positive side of the power of words, which, on the flip side, can deceive in 'fine sounding arguments'

or chapter 3 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in the image of its Creator.

Not lying, but speaking the truth in love ... not using filthy language...encouraging ...countering deceitful teaching & spreading the power of the gospel - all dependent on words.

Let's make sure that words don't come easy - unless we know they are spoken in love, to 'build each other up' and are based on the truth that we know from God's words in the bible. That can definitely still be a challenge for me. And our helper with this? The Word of God, Jesus.