“What you say flows from what is in your heart.” (Luke 6:45); “The Sovereign LORD has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary.” (Isa. 50:4) “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Prov. 15:1)
Lord Jesus, what if… what if our hearts were full-to-overflowing with these three things: 1. Astonishment at your unwavering love for us. 2. Humility and gratitude fueled by your daily mercies and constant kindness. 3. A core of peace anchored in the assurance of your sovereignty—the calming conviction that nothing is more ultimate you, your will, and your Kingdom.
Jesus, if these three realities filled our hearts (my heart), the overflow would be exactly what you promise in our Scriptures of the day. Our words would sustain the weary, heal the hurting, and disarm the angry. Indeed, “a gentle tongue can break a bone” (Prov. 25:15)—for gentleness is 1000 times more powerful than harshness.
Your limitless kindness first led us to repentance (and continues to do so). Our reactionary snarkiness—though easy to muster, is never helpful. It never gives us what we want. So, Jesus, do for us and in us, what we cannot do apart from you (John 15:5). We don’t need tongue-control, but heart-fullness.
Fill us with your Holy Spirit afresh. Fill us with a renewed-knowing of who we are in you, by you. Fill us with a fresh sighting of yourself, sitting comfortably, joyfully atop the throne of grace—the throne with authority over every personal crisis, family challenge, ocean clam, and cosmic-disturbance. So Very Amen.