Kind words are like honey–sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
Psalm 16:24
Okay so ready for a little science lesson? This verse is for real! It is so easy to gloss over 
scripture and not grasp the whole content, and I do this all the time, but when we take the time dig into scripture we realize that there is more depth to the words on the page. So back to the verse above, because your words can be more than “words on a page”. Honey, it’s sweet and can definitely add good flavor to some blah tasting things. But what about about healthy for the body? In fact, honey has numerous health benefits including that it is an antibacterial, it can help heal wounds and burns, and can help prevent cancer and heart disease.
Let’s not gloss over this verse. Kind words can feel foreign and unnatural for us to offer, especially when we are not used to hearing them. However, in a world where it is so easy to put others down, and I am guilty of this, scripture encourages us to use our words to build others up, and goes as far as saying kind words are like honey. And it doesn’t surprise me that scientifically offering kind words is actually a health benefit because it can reduce anxiety, benefit your heart, and lower blood pressure. Sweet for the soul and healthy for the body.
The Lost Art
This past week I received 3 hand written cards in the mail. This is a big deal because I love to get REAL snail mail. I am like a kid a Christmas, and it was Christmas at my house this week. One person let me know that God had put me on her heart during her morning devotions and said she was praying for me, one was a sweet thank you note, and one was an encouragement to not give up on my passions. Prayer, thanks, and encouragement. All different, but all a gift from God. One of my top love languages is words of affirmation so it sweet it is to my soul to receive encouraging words, and I have to tell you sometimes after a hard day I have to pray for them. So I want to encourage you in two things in closing. One of my most frequent prayers in being a parent is that Charlie, and soon to be Olivia, know that I love them. I want them to know that I love them not because I say “I love you”, but because of everything else that I say to them.
1- Make it a point to use your words to be a source of encouragement 3 times a day. That may not seem like a lot because maybe you, unlike me, are really good at this, (or it may seem overwhelming). Soon though, using your words to be a source of encouragement won’t be overwhelming because it will become natural. If something nice comes to mind about someone, tell them. It is easy to think that maybe they already know, and don’t need to hear it, but it’s a good possibility that your “thought” is a nudge from God and it may be what your friend needs to hear.
2- In this day and age it is easy to pull out your phone and send a quick text to let 
someone know that you are thinking of them, and don’t get me wrong this is not a bad thing. But I want to encourage you to take time to hand write someone a card or a letter. It can just be letting them know that you are thinking of them, praying for them, or whatever God puts on your heart.
Praying for all of you that God showers you with gifts of kind words, and also gives you an abundance of kind words to offer others that need to hear them.
