Women, Words, and Men

I decided to set some time aside and share an important topic on my heart.   The topic is how the words of women affect men.

Have you ever been in a conversation or at a dinner when suddenly one of your girlfriends starts talking about everything she dislikes about men she knows?  Or have you ever witnessed a married woman poke fun at her husband in public? Or have you ever witnessed a woman flat out criticize and belittle a man in front of his friends?

I have.  To all of the above.  Not a pretty picture.

Like it or not our words have influence and how we say our thoughts have power.  We can either lift up or destroy those around us. Why do I say this?  Because our words represent inner thoughts and attitudes.

There are times when women simply don't understand the ways of men and vice versa.  But just because we can get frustrated doesn't give us the excuse to get angry at men. 

And, focusing on us single gals, just because that cute guy you like doesn't ask you out doesn't give you the right to hold a grudge against him.

Many women get upset when the men in their lives don't help or comfort or say or do what is "expected" of them.  May I just say... men cannot read our minds no matter how long they have known us.  Women need to be clear not mean about what they want or need.  We women are naturally much more intuitive than men.  Of course there are exceptions but not too many.

Neither is it okay to jab at the pride of men with jokes that are, in some women's minds, cleverly veiled attempts to "get back at him."  Those women think they get away with it but guess what?  Those bitter attitudes are not something you can hide.  People can tell, especially other women.

Instead of using the power of our words to cut men down how about finding at least one good thing about each guy in our lives and praising them on that.  Genuine compliments are also much appreciated.

Instead of pointing out negatives about men around me I have gotten into the habit of taking them to God in prayer.  Along that same vein, I thank God for the men in my life and ask Him to bless them and help them become men of honor.  Our words have power yes but prayer is even stronger.  Test it and see for yourselves.

The truth is if we women put men down often enough then the men retreat.  They avoid women and hang out more with their buddies or video games or jobs etc.  Men learn that they can never be good enough to please a woman and are afraid to try again.  Or they become bitter and start believing that all women are the same and aren't worth the effort.

Believe-it-or-not men need gentleness and kindness and patience too.  No matter what they may look like on the outside, or how accomplished they may be, all men have sensitive hearts.  Its just that some, as with women, are better at guarding them than others.

A kind word of encouragement, a praise on something done right, affirming that they are appreciated, all these things and more help men grow in confidence and character.  The words women speak can have such an amazing affect on men! 

" Kind words are like honey-sweet to the soul and healthy for the body."

~ Proverbs 16:24