Listen/Download Audio of The Power of Unspoken Words
Remember that often the words you leave unsaid make a deeper impression on your associates than the words you speak.
There are times when speech is silver and silence is golden. When you are angry, peevish, or disappointed the fewer words you speak the better. A silent prayer is always better than a spoken negative thought. If you feel discouraged it is better to say nothing about it but instead try to find strength in your inner store of divine courage. If you are afraid, do not admit it audibly, but stir up the ever-present courage within you by silently turning to God, for spiritual strength. Remember that God and you are a majority.
Should you be disappointed, do not blurt out your feelings but pray about the situation until you feel that you are able to speak in a constructive way. Think three times and pray six times before you utter words of idle gossip. Do not speak too quickly when you face a tense moment with another person. Spend a moment in silent prayer, and then you will be in a better position to say the right words.
When a person is emotionally disturbed he is likely to say things that he will later be ashamed of. Such thoughtless words may bring the resentment of others against him and thus make his problem more difficult to solve.
If you do not like the looks of a meal that is set before you, bless it silently before you say a word about it, and having prayed, you will find something good in the meal that at first you were unable to see. Then the words you speak will be the kind that leave a good taste in your mouth, and a happy feeling in the mind of the one who prepared the food.
There is a spiritual law that operates in the affairs of all men which says you reap as you sow. The seeds you sow are your thoughts and words, and your experiences that follow them are the harvest you reap. Therefore think only constructive thoughts and speak only constructive words if you would have your life filled with constructive experiences.
We are told in the Scriptures that we are held accountable for our lightest words. When we speak a word it is like dropping a seed. It is gone out from us, and henceforth has an identity of its own. We cannot call it back.
Since we have little control over the seed thoughts after they are spoken, we should carefully consider them and their creative power before we speak them. A temporary, human peevish mood may cause us to speak unwise words if we are not watchful. We must therefore continually watch and pray.
If a negative mood should come over us, we should try to relax, forgive, and think about something pleasant and good before we speak a word. Perhaps we can breathe a silent prayer something like this: “Divine order is established in my world. Peace and love reign supreme in me and in my affairs.” After this prayer we should be able to “snap out of it” and to keep our lips from dropping negative words that might increase our gloom.
We can always say something good, no matter what the situation may be, by first calling upon the Christ within us. There is no need to say anything that will hurt the feelings of any person or cause inharmony in our affairs. We cannot afford to offend anyone, because we need the friendship of everyone, and everyone who is our friend is our helper.
“He that despiseth his neighbor is void of wisdom;
But a man of understanding holdeth his peace.”
Many a blessing has been driven away by hasty words. Here is some good advice from Proverbs:
“He that spareth his words hath knowledge;
And he that is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise.”
And how, you may ask, is a person to keep his peace when things go wrong? Here is Isaiah’s answer to such a question: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee.” And Isaiah has this also to say: “In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.”
If you feel that you are in a difficult place where you are unable to cope with outer conditions you should remember that foolish, angry words cannot help you out of it. But if when in such a dilemma you remain quiet and affirm the presence of God’s power and wisdom within you, you will find strength and wisdom sufficient to enable you to meet the situation effectively and harmoniously.
Isaiah also says: “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and confidence for ever.”
Remembering that your body is a temple of the living God, you will find that Habakkuk has given you a formula for keeping your peace. He said: “But Jehovah is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.” The earth here refers to the things that are happening in the world which are confusing and unpleasant to us. By remembering who you are and calling forth the power of the holy of holies in your temple, you will not need to be afraid of what the outcome of any difficult situation will be, because all things will work together for good when you are working with God.
Remember also Psalm 46:10, which is: “Be still, and know that I am God.” Practicing this admonition will help you to discover the right solution to every problem you may face and will save you the disgrace of giving vent to foolish, destructive words.
“Great peace have they that love thy law;
And they have no occasion of stumbling.”
SUGGESTIONS FOR DAILY MEDITATION
SUNDAY: “My words are Spirit, and they are life, and they shall not return unto me void, but shall accomplish that whereunto they are sent.”
MONDAY: I fearlessly and wisely hold my tongue until I am moved to speak words of Truth.
TUESDAY: No irritating problems coming from the outer world have power to cause me to speak foolishly, because I am conscious of my power as a son of God.
WEDNESDAY: My poise and confidence come from Christ within me, who is the source of my peace, power, and wisdom.
THURSDAY: I have faith to believe that God will give me the right words to say in time of need if I will listen for His still small voice.
FRIDAY: I speak only good words, because I love truth and harmony better than discord.
SATURDAY: When my soul trembles in fear Christ within stills the fear and helps me to hold my poise.
