Proverbs 16:24 – “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
How many times have I chosen to speak out in anger and hurt the feelings of others before choosing the honeycomb and speaking kindness to diffuse the situation? How many times have I chosen pride to have the last word and cause further hurt instead of the honeycomb for those I love? Guilty here.
I certainly know there are situations that warrant someone not to continue down a path of abuse, but many times I know I have made the wrong choice with my words especially to friends and family. How easy it is to abuse them and cause more hurt and pain. Why? My sinful nature in full force.
Although, I pray for the wisdom of Solomon before such conversations, I always seem to fall short. I never stop believing that God is there and will give me the wisdom and provide the peace if I continue to follow that path even when my sinful pride takes over. I believe God’s words ” And the Lord gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him. And there was peace……. 1 Kings 5:12.
I am just so bad at reaching for the honeycomb only to pull out the bees. I want peace and pray not to hurt those I love, but the bees just swarm and I miss the honey. The honey from God which is always so close in His Word. Such as Psalms 119:103, “”How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” I want the sweeter than honey words from God to flow from me. I want others to see a person who puts other above herself and uses God’s words of honey first.
All people are created in the image of God, this is constant reminder to me when I meet people, disagree with people, and watch the world go round. I am not special, we are all created in his image. No one can be above another. All people are made by God. Stopping to remember this puts perspective in difficult places. I am a sinner saved by the grace of God. That is why I always can find the bees.
Friends and Family are created in God’s image which is a reminder to me no matter how trivial something is or even whether intent for pain was meant, each person receives in different ways. God made us different and I have to remember to love and reach for the honeycomb and not the bees when this happens. Let the honey drip from my lips and not the sting of the bees. This is hard remember to turn the other check. Matthew 5:39, “But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”
Matthew 5: 14-16, “14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that[b] they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Prayer: Lord give me the wisdom to find the honey before the bees.