Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.—Proverbs 16:24 (ESV)
As a beekeeper, I’m grateful for every teaspoon of honey I collect and consume. I also enjoy giving it away, knowing how healthy it is. Honey is a miraculous substance. Did you know it was found in the tombs of the Egyptians, thousands of years old, and still edible? When kept properly, honey never spoils.
It’s used for medicinal purposes such as healing infections and alleviating allergies. Honey contains water, vitamins, minerals, and necessary enzymes to give the body energy, making it one of the only known foods with all the ingredients to keep us alive.
Proverbs 16:24 compares our words to honey. Words are also life giving. Many scriptures admonish us to use our tongues wisely. In Proverbs alone, more than seventeen verses direct us to use words for healing, hope, and life.
Jesus spoke many kind and healing words during His time on earth. He complimented a Centurion’s faith before healing his sick servant (Matthew 8:5–13). He commended the persistent Canaanite woman’s great faith as she pleaded for her daughter’s healing (Matthew 15:28). And He praised Mary, Martha’s sister, for choosing to sit and listen to Him rather than anxiously laboring (Luke 10:38–42).
Like honey, gracious words have a miraculous impact on those with whom we speak. I intend to use kind words to encourage those around me and point them to Jesus, who is the ultimate salve for our souls. I want to offer gracious words freely, just as I give away jars of honey. Honey and Jesus—two sweet treats, healthy for body and soul.
Adapted from Mornings with Jesus
