God bless you in the name of Jesus Christ who calmed the seas with his words (Mark 4:39).
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you were not personally stressed or anxious, but you felt a heaviness or were spiritually uncomfortable? I have at times. When it first happened, I thought it was just me and my unrenewed mind. However, I have found that some places and situations generate an atmosphere so onerous I could actually feel an oppressive burden.
Exiting is an easy solution, and that might be the right thing to do. However, that is not always possible; sometimes the gatherings are such that one is obliged to stay. At those times I find Proverbs has some truth that has been quite helpful.
Proverbs 10:13; 24:3-4:
In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found. . . 24:3 Through wisdom is a house built; and by understanding it is established: 4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
Atmospheres can be changed with words. I know too well, that harsh, quarrelsome words can quickly change the atmosphere in a room from pleasant to unpleasant. Words have power! In the same way, our lips can change ugly, mean, or hostile atmospheres into congenial ones if we will use them with wisdom and understanding.
Just as surely as you can go into a kitchen where fish had been fried and still smell the fish. You can enter a room where harsh words have been spoken, and find their residue in the atmosphere. Words fitly spoken can produce a positive environment, and corrupt communication can produce a negative one.
Proverbs 25:11:
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. 12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
Solomon compared properly timed and well-spoken words with golden apples on a silver setting—beautiful, valuable, and carefully crafted. That will take wisdom and understanding. Knowing the right words to speak in difficult situations, benefits both the speaker and listener. This is true whether they are words of love, encouragement, or reproof. Let’s keep them edifying.
Ephesians 4:29:
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Think about that for a minute. Our words can minister grace. What would it be like to live in an atmosphere of grace. Children brought up where they consistently hear the wrong words are negatively affected. When we let the right words from God’s word flood our homes, victory will result.
It takes wisdom to build a house. When we fabricate our homes with the wisdom of God, we establish environments where love abounds and growth is fostered. Then our chambers will be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.