“Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”
Proverbs 16:24 (RSV)
A Christian neurosurgeon who lost his son at 19 years of age, wrote a book, in which he states that “it’s not the painful trials of our lives that determine our future, but how we choose to think about them.” ( Dr. Lee Warren)
Today’s scripture verse says that pleasant words heal the body and the soul. Science has found that how we choose to think really does affect our health. Words can influence thoughts and thoughts matter. Science and faith actually complement each other, agreeing that pleasant words and good thoughts bring healing as Serotonin is released into our bodies, which is the feel good hormone.
Pleasant words may come in a conversation with a friend or a stranger. Words connect us with others, and can come at a time needed to lift a heavy heart, and change a pattern of thought.
About seven months ago, I sat next to a total stranger at my hair salon appointment. We struck up a conversation after learning that we both had the same back pain originating from the same spinal level. We both also worked in health care for many years. Her name is Ruth and she’s a retired nurse who worked at a different hospital than I did, but we knew some of the same doctors.
Her son is a neurosurgeon in Texas, and I worked with neurosurgeons in the Chicago area. Ruth and I bonded immediately and shared many stories. Since our appointments didn’t overlap after that, we didn’t see each other again for seven months.
Last week at my scheduled salon appointment, we ended up sitting next to each other again. We were so happy to see each other and catch up on where we left off. We talked for about 45 minutes straight, which made our hair appointments go by quickly. I left the salon that day, feeling blessed to reconnect with Ruth.
I had many things to be stressed about before going to the salon that day. My son Michael is not handling his divorce situation very well, and his well being was weighing on my mind lately. Although I never mentioned him to Ruth, our conversation was so therapeutic. We shared things in common, with pleasant words that sweetened our souls, and I left feeling refreshed and blessed.
The next day, I ran a quick errand to the hospital where I used to work. I needed to have my entry badge fixed, which is used for my volunteer service. On my way to the security office, I saw a man talking to someone in the hallway. I recognized him as a nurse who I once worked with in the operating room fifteen years ago, who left for a different job.
I stopped and looked at him, and he looked at me at the same time. I said “Archie?” He said, “Maria?”and then we hugged each other. We chatted briefly, as I learned that he works in a different area of the same hospital. It was a pleasant surprise with pleasant words that had the same soul sweetening effect as meeting Ruth in the hair salon the day before.
Pleasant words form pleasant thoughts, that fill our hearts with gratitude, which is a healing balm to the soul. May the Lord surround us with pleasant words that sweeten and heal our souls, and may all world leaders find the healing balm of words that brings peace to the nations.
Lord, help us choose thoughts of gratitude, and let pleasant words reap the sweet healing balm effect on our mind, body, and soul. Amen
