Filtering the Words That Come Out of My Mouth

I can't believe our study of Proverbs is almost over! Today we are reading Proverbs 31:23-26 with the Good Morning Girls.

²³ Her husband is known in the gates
    when he sits among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them;
    she delivers sashes to the merchant.
²⁵ Strength and dignity are her clothing,
    and she laughs at the time to come.
²⁶ She opens her mouth with wisdom,
    and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

~Proverbs 31:23-26

We see in verse 26, with all that the Proverbs 31 woman has on her plate, she still speaks with wisdom and kindness when she opens her mouth. That's pretty impressive to me.

Maybe it's impressive to me because that's not always how I act when I've got a lot on my plate. My plates - yes, that's plural - are very full these days which can lead to feelings of being overwhelmed and rushed all. the. time.

I've learned during times like these that I have to filter the words that come out of my mouth so they are seasoned with kindness and love instead of frustration and anger. Filtering the words that come out of my mouth means that I recognize the feelings of being overwhelmed and rushed and so take a moment to think about the words I'm about to speak.

Taking that moment to think about the words that are on the tip of my tongue is just the first step in filtering the words that come out of my mouth.

Next I have to take those words and submit them to the authority of God's Word. Instead of speaking words of frustration and anger, I can filter those words with the truth of God's Word that instructs me on how to speak life into any situation.

After I've recognized my feelings and replaced my harmful and maybe even hurtful words with life-giving words, then I can speak with wisdom, kindness, and love into the lives of those I love.

The process is quicker than it sounds. Trust me, I've used it often. It's a method I learned from Brooke McGlothin's book, How to Control Your Emotions So They Don't Control You: A Mom's Guide to Overcoming. Brooke calls this method that has made such an impact in my life the "Feel, Know, Do" method. It's really been a blessing in my life.

One of my favorite Bible verses that I pray for myself is Psalm 19:14.

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, 

be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

I want the words of my mouth to be seasoned with wisdom and with kindness like the Proverbs 31 woman so that they will be acceptable in the sight of my Lord. I try to make this my prayer every morning before my feet hit the floor.

With the Lord as my strength, He helps me filter my words.


I can't believe tomorrow is our last day in the book of Proverbs! I've enjoyed the journey. It's been quite the adventure blogging every day for our time in Proverbs.

We are heading into Song of Solomon with the Good Morning Girls on Monday, August 3. Get all the details from Courtney in her post, Choosing Joy in the Midst of the Mundane. She also gives details of what we're reading and doing through October so be sure to head over there to read all about it!

Walking in His Grace, 

Laurie

I'm Blogging Through the Bible with Courtney Joseph and other Good Morning Girls! Click on the image below every Friday to read other posts from more sweet friends who are BTTB too!

Each week, I am blessed to be able to link-up with the following awesome blogs. While you're here at Grace-Filled-Moments, please take some time to visit my blogging friends listed below.

Sunday: Raising Samuels Homeschool; Me, Coffee, and Jesus
Monday: My Joy-Filled Life, Just Another Mom, The Modest Mom, A Life in Balance

Tuesday: F. Dean Hackett ~ Tell It To Me Tuesday, Time-Warp Wife Titus 2sDay, Hip Homeschool Moms
Wednesday: A Little R&R, Messy Marriage, Mom's Morning Coffee, Soul Survivor, Wholehearted Home
Thursday:  Hearts for Home, I Choose Joy, The Evolution of Mom
Friday:  A Divine Encounter, Missional Women, Women Living Well, home of Good Morning Girls