Meet Angela Jacobs

No regret. In my family, we talk often of living with no regret, and one of the first places we start is with our words. Today’s passage from Proverbs emphasizes our words and their effect on others, which is a good reminder that our speech is important to the Lord.

Words are powerful. They can heal, or they can wound. I learned this the hard way several years ago when I shared my negative opinion of a friend’s choices in an email to another friend, which found its way back to the first friend. Her feelings were severely hurt by what I said. In spite of forgiveness sought and received, the wound changed our friendship for some time. When she expected support from a friend, instead she was harmed unexpectedly by my words. What she needed was missing.

"Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda." (Verse 20) What is needed is missing, such as the warmth of a coat, or what is offered causes more harm than good, such as the immediate reaction of vinegar on soda. The long-lasting effects can cause an unexpected "explosion" of brokenness in our relationships.

Foolish words too easily roll off the tongue; poorly timed, spoken without thinking, and we are left with regret, wishing there was a rewind button for life. Fortunately for us who know Christ as our Savior, we are filled with the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), which includes kindness and self-control. When we spend time abiding with Christ every day, our lives bear much fruit (John 15:5).

Spending time with the Lord every day (early mornings are my favorite!) grows us closer to Him. As we read His Word, memorize Scripture, and talk with Him, our hearts are changed and readied to respond to others with His kindness and grace. Then, we can say what we need to say—with words, by text, in an email—without regret.