Day 057 of 90 · Emotions
Speaking with Love Matters Too
12–15 minutes
Center · Stillness
Settle in
Put the phone down. Take one slow breath, and say: “God, I am here. Speak, I am listening.”
Read · The passage
Scripture
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Colossians 4:6, BSB
Learn · Reflection
Reflection
The way you speak also shows what is happening inside your heart. God wants to teach you to communicate with truth and love at the same time. Speaking with respect, firmness and compassion can bring far more light and hope than answering with anger or aggression. Malala Yousafzai began speaking publicly from a very young age about how important it is for girls to have access to education.
Even though she faced hard situations and people who wanted to silence her voice, she decided to keep defending what she believed in.
Something important about the way she communicated was that she did not try to answer with hatred or violence. Even after living through painful moments, she went on speaking firmly and also with respect.
Sometimes we think that to be heard we have to speak in anger, shout louder or hurt others with our words. But God can also teach us another way to communicate.
Speaking with love does not mean staying silent about what is wrong or allowing injustice. It means learning to say the truth with wisdom, respect and compassion.
Words can open doors, bring hope and help other people when they come from a heart guided by love and courage.
Talk · Conversation
Talk about it
What is something right that you need to say, but you still don't know how to say it respectfully?
Thank · Gratitude
Give thanks
Today I thank God for someone who told me a hard truth without putting me down.
Ask · Prayer
Pray together
Lord, teach me to stand up for what is right without shouting and without wounding anyone. Put grace in the way I speak.
Begin · Application
Carry it into the day
Speak up calmly today for someone who is being treated badly at your school or at home.
Scripture quoted from the Berean Standard Bible. Public domain (CC0)