Speak Kind Words Saturday | JOY for Today

(Updated 8.11.2023)

Genuinely positive statements directed our way fill us with JOY that lingers. These statements might come from others or from within. You have the power with your words to bring more JOY into your life and to the life of others. Let's do it! Let's fill our world with JOY! 

Speak Kind Words Saturday Topics:

• Did You Know... Kind words facts we didn't know.
• Wolfe Stew Connects to the power of words.
• Bible Verses and Quotes About speaking with kindness.
• Activity Suggestions Articles for leaders, activities for learners, discussion questions, and family challenge.

Did You Know:

1. Negative words - spoken, heard, or thought - release stress hormones? These hormones lead to not only situational stress but also contribute to long-term anxiety in adults and children. (Business Relation Management Institute)
2. Positive words have the power to change your brain? Neuroscientist, Dr Andrew Newberg, and communications expert, Robert Waldman, share that the longer you isolate optimistic thoughts in your mind, the more affected other areas of your brain become. This alteration will help us not only have a better opinion of ourselves, but also of others. (Business Relation Management Institute)
3. Water crystals grew in predictably different ways based on positive and negative messages? In a study completed by Dr. Emoto, positive and negative messages were spoken over water samples derived from the same source. When the words were loving and full of gratitude, beautiful patterns grew. When hateful and evil, the crystals smashed, and destructive shapes emerged. Follow the link to see images of the crystals. (Daily Times)
4. Speak Kind Words Saturday is part of a celebration of kindness week? The week, called "Be Kind to Humankind Week," was established in 1988 by Lorraine Jara. The week begins with "Thoughtful Thursday" and ends on "Willing to Lend a Hand Wednesday." (bk2hk.org)
5. When the kind words you offer another are false, you are contributing to an unhealthy relationship? It's easy to think that a kind word, even if slightly untrue, is good for building relationships. But, People and Performance Manager, Ben Brearly, suggests that when you offer another false praise, they put less effort into the relationship and lose respect in you while expecting more from you. (Thoughtful Leader)

We'd Love to Know:

Which fact motivates you to speak kind words most?

Wolfe Stew Connects

Words matter. Words have power. You know this. I don't need to tell you. You perseverate on the misinterpretation of your words, stew on the hurtful words of others, cling to compliments, and regret ill- or unspoken words of your own. If only we could filter our words before we speak. 

Moses and Isaiah knew the secret: let God speak through you. 

Moses had difficulty speaking (Exodus 4:10). He didn't feel convinced anyone would listen to him. But God said, effectively, "Moses, I made you to be the way you are. I know you and I still choose you. Do as I tell you. I'll help you; I'll teach you what to say." (Exodus 4:11-12)

With Moses, we learn that even though our words may not be perfect or well-spoken, we should not refrain from speaking because: 

1. God made us to be how we are - flaws and all - and longs to use even our faults for His glory.
2. He positioned us in specific places and relationships on purpose.
3. We are to bring what we have to the table and trust God do the rest. 

Not our strength but His.

In Isaiah 50:4, we see a servant of God who:

1. Recognizes his role as student to the Master Teacher.
2. Knows the learning objective is using words to uplift.
3. Daily anticipates God's instruction.

And gives all credit to God:

1. He gave me this role.
2. He teaches me so I know how to speak.
3. He awakens my ear to hear.

Not our strength but His.

Words have the power of life or death (Proverbs 18:21).  Speaking honest, uplifting words is a charge for all of God's disciples. We do it by acknowledging He made us, positioned us, and teaches us to speak His words. Words that hold the power of life.

If you don't know where to start, ask.  Moses and Isaiah experienced God teaching them what words to say. What God did for them; He will do for you but you must ask. In prayer we humble ourselves. We admit we cannot do it alone and ask God to help us. To GROW in prayer, we're training with short, but impactful, Bible-based daily exercises and we'd love for you to join us, Warrior. This week, we'll be looking at The Lord's Prayer that Jesus taught His disciples. Let's sit together and learn at the feet of the Master.

We'd Love to Know:

What holds you back from speaking kind words? 

Speaking Kind Words Bible Verses and Quotes

Verses

• "The Lord God gives me the right words to encourage the weary. Each morning he awakens me eager to learn his teaching." Isaiah 50:4 CEV
• "What a JOY it is to find just the right word for the right occasion!" Proverbs 15:23 GNT
• "When she speaks, her words are wise, and kindness is the rule for everything she says. Proverbs 31:26 TLB
• "Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul healthy for the body" Proverbs 16:24 NLT
• "Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit - you choose." Proverbs 18:21 MSG

Quotes

• "Kind words are the music of the world." - Frederick William Faber
• "Our lives are fed by kind words and gracious behavior." - Edward M. Hays
• "Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless. - Mother Teresa
• "Wise sayings often fall on barren ground, but a kind word is never thrown away." - Arthur Helps
• "When words are both true and kind, they can change the world." Guatama Buddha

We'd Love to Know:

Which verse or quote inspires you to speak kind words? 

Speaking Kind Words Activity Suggestions

Use these articles and activities to start a kind words movement in your home or classroom.

Our Nephew's Suggestion:

"Don't say anything mean about others, even if you have to lie."

The lying part we disagree with (and obviously have some instructing of our own to do) but with the withholding mean words part, we agree.

Our Suggestions:

For Leaders

Read an article (or two) for motivation on why and how to speak kind words with regularity.

• “The Neuroscience Behind Our Words,” at BRMInstitute summarizes the sustained effect of negative and positive thoughts on our brains and resultant outcomes.
• “Lent Challenge,” a Wolfe Stew original, outlines my plan to give up negative words for Lent.
• “How Our Words Impact Others,” by Michael Hyatt, discusses the weight of our words using Ephesians 4:29 as the foundation for inspiration.

For Learners

• The "Wrinkled Heart Activity" at Centervention is one we've used with our learners. Whether from a book or personal experiences, share examples of hurt experienced. With each example shared, wrinkle the heart a little more. At the end, discuss that even though there are ways to help mend the heart, it will never be the same. Centervention offers book suggestions and a printable activity page. Preschool to Second Grade recommended.
• “Power of Words” a YouTube video from Common Sense Education about digital citizenship. Ideal for Second to Fourth Graders. Pair it with Stacey's Extraordinary Words by Stacey Abrams; Illustrated by Kitt Thomas. Stacey has an opportunity to put her love of words to use when her teacher nominates her for a spelling competition. But the best lesson for the reader to learn isn't in how Stacey spells the words, but in how she uses them. 
• “Teaching Kids to Speak Kindly to Others” from Coffee and Carpool offers a THINK acronym to test their words against before saying them and a printable activity to help learners understand that hurtful words cause tears in relationships. Third to Middle School.
• A Proverbs 12:18-22 Bible Lesson from Ministry to Children is packed with ideas to support speaking kind word instruction in littles. You'll draw on personal experiences, read and discuss the Bible passage, practice giving compliments, talk about the effects of gossip, review with discussion questions, and end in prayer. For Elementary and Middle School. Suggested extension activities include:
• Discussing the music video "Speak Life," by TobyMac 
• And playing an encouragement game.

Would you rather...

• Someone say something kind but dishonest or honest but unkind to you?
• Plan out something kind to say about a person or say whatever comes to mind first?
• Have kind words spoken or written to you?

These questions are unique to this post. If you would like three daily "Would you rather..." questions for August, download this Wolfe Stew PowerPoint or get it (for free) on TPT.

Family Challenge:

Pair up and aim to speak specifically kind and honest words daily to each other. Give examples of behavior, achievement, and appearance-based compliments. Balance the types of kind words delivered.

We'd Love to Know: 

How you lead learners in speaking kindly.

We’re excited to share one more day with you and wish you JOY for Today and HOPE for Tomorrow. Come back next week for...Pierce Your Ears Day!

Fighting the Good Fight with You,

Sample these related posts:

Challenge yourself to do good.

Accept communication as a responsibility.

Be even more uplifting.

Try a kindness competition.
Refuse the unkind jabs.

Find even more JOY for Today in our monthly calendars, holiday, and seasonal posts.