A friend who is so close to my heart made a comment about me that truly broke my heart. I know it was only a joke but the sharpness of his words pierced deeply into my heart. I was trying to ignore but the pain is so real that instantly my tears started to fall. He said sorry but then it did not ease the pain I felt. What made it so hurtful it is because those words came from a friend who knows almost everything about you. It won't really matter to me if it came from someone I do not know. I suddenly feel so insecure. As what Proverbs 18:21 says with these two different translations: English Standard Version Proverbs 18:21 (ESV) Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. Good News Translation Proverbs 18:21 (GNT) What you say can preserve life or destroy it; so you must accept the consequences of your words. It is so important that we know how to tame our tongue. How we choose appropriate words that will lift the heart of those who will receive it. If words are just nothing but dead words I will never find myself crying. There were times in the past that I was not able to control myself and say everything I wanted to say. It hurts more when you see the person crying because of the hurtful words you throw at him/her. We need to understand the importance of words. If we discern that we are about to speak a not-so-good words let us remain silent, instead. We need to exercise empathy. Since, part of humanity is to fall into sin let us ask forgiveness to those we hurt and to God. if we are the one who has been hurt then let's release forgiveness. Choose love over hurt. Ephesians 4: 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.