I was looking through the window, marveling at the snowflakes and the beautiful winter scenery, and I found myself thinking, "how much longer will this cold winter last?" We are in the middle of January; therefore, we probably still have a few cold months ahead of us. It will be tremendously important to stay warm during this time. Have we made provisions for that?

Then I remembered a Japanese proverb: “One kind word can warm three winter months.” What a precious thought! Let’s put it into practice and keep warm! Yet, we don’t need to look only to Japanese wisdom; we know biblical proverbs that speak powerfully about the importance of words. I would like to share a few of them here.

Proverbs 15:23 “To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!”
Whatever season of life we are in, whatever winter we may be going through, let us use kind words with one another.

Proverbs 16:24 “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”
If we want to remain healthy this winter, let us choose gracious words. And there is even more about our health:

Proverbs 15:4 “A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.”
We may need a “windbreaker” when we go outside but let us not break one another’s spirit.

Proverbs 15:1 “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
Let us be peacemakers and use words that do not provoke anger.

Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”
What a tremendous power we have been given. Let us use it to encourage, to build up, and to help one another stay warm during the winter.

May all of us keep warm this winter. May we use kind words.

Psalm 19:14 “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.”