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Publisher’s Note
It was 22 years ago when I arrived in Canada and chose Calgary, Alberta to be my home. Leaving my family and friends behind, it was a new adventure for me to be in a new country without knowing anyone. That was the time I looked for a Filipino community paper and never found any, [...]
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Speak Words of Grace

by Pastor Nilo

How amazing words that proceed from our mouth can do – they can either give life to or destroy hopes, ambitions, and goals. If we speak words that give comfort, encourage, and strengthen others, then blessed are those who hear them. On the contrary, cold words make others cold and hot words make others irritable while kind, gentle words bring a smile as they lighten up others.

The Bible emphatically says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29). And this heavenly wisdom applies in all situations in life, whether the speaker is in a jubilant mood or in a melancholy frame of mind.

We may not always be aware of the effect of our words and the way we deliver them, but it is vital to know that everyone of us has the potential to bless and be a blessing to people around us, especially those who are downhearted and almost at the verge of giving up life.

It is appropriate, therefore, that we live out our lives to the maximum by being careful with what and how we say things. We may personally be hurting ourselves, but this doesn’t mean that you no longer have the power to share what is good, righteous, and needful in any given situation. We have to speak words of grace that will help build-up the lives of others. We have to speak honestly and with sincerity from our inner being “for out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” Notwithstanding life’s realities, if we always speak negatively such as, “I can’t do it”, or “I am not able”, or “I’m hopeless” (to mention a few), then these will indeed drain us of energy and limit our capability to explore and discover our giftedness. The apostle Paul has given us an inspiring statement, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). This is not a prideful statement, but a confession of faith believing that with the help of the Lord Almighty, you become able in doing things that would give honor and praise to His Name.

Moreover, life becomes worth living when we cheer and lift up the heavily burdened. Even when we deal with cranky, angry people, we can speak graciously as we exercise the proverbial saying that, “A soft answer stirs away wrath” (or in Tagalog version, “Ang malumanay na sagot ay nakapapawi ng poot”). And when faced with a chaotic talker who’s overbearing and domineering, you can still be gracious by speaking the sound of silence. Ciao!

Speak Words of Grace

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