What do you consider to be a pleasantry?  Perhaps hearing, “good morning,”  “what a beautiful day,”  “what a nice car…I love your bracelet…cute little toddler….” We are all aware of these brief greetings and pleasant words. Proverbs 16:24 states, “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” The flip side of pleasantries would be mean-spirited words, angry words, unkind confrontations and thoughtless opinions.   If you are the one speaking, pray for wisdom and give thought to your words.  If you are the recipient and vile, hurtful words are slung at you, remember Proverbs 19:11 “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.” Is this easy to do? Not usually!  If you have been on the receiving end of unkind, hurtful words aimed at you, trying to overlook the other person’s shortcoming is difficult at best. Instead, lean into our Lord, who loves you so unconditionally, to guide your response.  Even better, send a quick prayer to our Lord asking Him to bless the offender.  Eeks, egads….that’s a tough one! The last thing most of us want to do is return meanness with a smile, or for that matter, ask our Lord to bless the deliverer of the mean-spiritedness.

Focus your thoughts and reactions on goodness.  Don’t buy into the negativity that landed on you. Instead do as the Bible says, allow your words and thoughts to pour over you like a honeycomb, providing sweetness to your soul and health to your body. Do not become a victim. Beauty fills the world, therefore, do not allow meanness to envelope you.  Send out those blessings.  Smile.  Work on forgiveness. Your mind and body will thank you.

Jill