If you weld, you know welding gloves are a necessity because of the intense heat, splatter, and sparks that fly in every direction. To not use welding gloves would be incredibly foolish, dangerous, and painful.
Last week, as I welded up a pipe fence, I noticed that one of the fingers on my welding glove had an insignificant hole caused by a grinder getting a little too close. But it was a small hole and I didn’t have time to drive to town to buy another pair, so I kept welding. That was a mistake.
As I was making the most beautiful weld in the history of welding, I felt an incredibly hot, painful, burning sensation. A tiny spark had made its way through the hole in my welding glove to the tip of my finger. It hurt so much I wanted to cry like a baby but I was concerned Shannon would see me and that would ruin the “Real Man” image I have cultivated through the years. So I wept on the inside.
What amazed me was the amount of pain caused by such small spark. This got me thinking.
Words are just like sparks. They may look small but they can do an incredible amount of damage. That’s why James says: “So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is place among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell.” (James 3:5-6)
Today, you will have the chance to use your words for good or evil. It’s your choice. Make it wisely.
Prayer: Dear Gracious Heavenly God, I humbly ask that you use my inadequate, inane words, to bring joy, laughter, love, and peace to a world filled with pain. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Speaking of using words to cause pain, both David and Dee have told Shannon that when I am welding, whatever I mess up, she can call them and they will fix it. Like I said, words hurt.
I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins
Daily Devotionals by Dr. Tom Robbins 