The mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Luke 6:45
There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Prov. 12:18 (ESV)
Let your conversation be always full of grace… Col. 4:6 (NIV)
Heavenly Father, today is April 1st, and we wish the coronavirus was one big, bad April Fool’s joke. Alas, it’s not. The more stressful things become, the more care we’ll need to show in our interactions with each other.
Since whatever fills our hearts shapes our words, we want our hearts to be so full of your kindness and grace, it’ll be hard to use our words to hurt, shame, or discourage others. It’s possible to say even the most difficult things with your grace “seasoning” our words.
So, as we begin a new month pregnant with uncertainty, here’s some things we are gloriously certain of. Father, thank you for drawing us to yourself with everlasting love and binding us to yourself with cords of tenderness. This virus-affliction is temporary, but your great affection for us is forever.
Thank you for giving Jesus on our behalf, and for hiding our lives in him. Thank you for placing your Spirit in our hearts, where he is constantly speaking to us of our beloved-ness and your Fatherly love. Because the Gospel is true, we are forgiven and righteous, desired and enjoyed, fully known and forever secure. Hallelujah!
Nothing can separate us from your love, alter your plan for us, or keep us from heaven. From the overflow of such grace-riches, we will seek to use our words to bless, encourage, and heal today. Help us, Father. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ powerful and precious name.
