“Say What You Need To Say…”

I found myself humming this song in my mind. Some of the lyrics and chorus of the heart-felt song by John Mayer Say What You Need To Say are:
Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

Have no fear for givin' in

Have no fear for givin' over

You better know that in the end

It's better to say too much

Than to never to say what you need to say again

http://www.metrolyrics.com/say-what-you-need-to-say-lyrics-john-mayer.html

I am reminded of the advice my late grandmother gave when things seemed tense. She would say, “Just don’t say anything. It’s best to have peace.”

Although I loved my grandmother dearly, I don’t completely agree with this advice. Sometimes, NOT saying anything causes internal damage such as, resentment, stress, anger, and frustration. These emotions can erode your inner being to the point of manifesting themselves in physical ways like chronic illness and disease.

Wisdom is the critical factor. Sometimes you need to “say what you need to say” about something to cleanse and heal you. Other times, “silence” is the best response. It is often in HOW you say it and your intent that makes the difference.

The Bible speaks of this discernment between silence & speaking:

Ecclesiastes 3:7 (NKJV): “A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak;

Matthew 12:36 (NKJV): “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.”

Ephesians 4:25(NKJV): “Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another.

Titus 3:2 (NKJV): “to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.

James 1:19 (NKJV): “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;

James 4:11 (NKJV): “Do not speak evil of one another…”

Powerful Quotes include:

“Before You Speak, THINK. Is it: True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, Kind?”

“Be sure to taste your words before you spit them out.” - unknown

 “Two things indicate weakness. One, to be silent when it is the proper time to speak. Second, to speak when it is the proper time to be silent.” – unknown

 “Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak. Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” – Winston Churchill

“Open your mouth only if what you are going to say is more beautiful than your silence.” – Arabic proverb

“Don’t waste words on people who deserve your silence. Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can say is NOTHING AT ALL.” – Mandy Hale

“You don’t have to attend every argument you are invited to.” – unknown

“Silence is the best reply to a fool.” – unknown
"I will not stay silent so you can remain comfortable." - unknown

Lesson: “Say What You Need To Say.” Sometimes, that is silence.