Words Like Honey

"Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." (Proverbs 16:24 NLT)

Research in the last few years confirms what the Wisdom Writer already knew: Honey is great stuff! Composed primarily of carbohydrates and water, honey also contains small amounts of a wide array of vitamins and minerals. Recent interest in antioxidants suggests honey in our diet as one more added source. It is thought that honey encourages the growth of "good" bacteria in the digestive system, and there is some evidence that honey may assist in the body's assimilation of calcium. Greek and Roman athletes are said to have used honey to increase their strength and stamina, and modern science corroborates those findings; honey is found on many training tables and in "quick energy" foods used during and after exercise.

But that's not all. According to the National Honey Board, honey is an effective antimicrobial agent, useful for treating minor burns and scrapes, and for aiding the treatment of sore throats and other bacterial infections. Cleopatra of Egypt regularly took honey and milk baths to maintain her youthful appearance, and Queen Anne of England is supposed to have used a honey and oil concoction to keep her long hair thick and shiny. Modern manufacturers have followed suit, using honey in everything from hand lotions to bubble baths. Honey presents a wholesome, natural image, but that is not the whole picture. Honey is a humectant, attracting and retaining moisture, which makes it a useful ingredient in skin and hair care products. It also acts as an anti-irritant, making it suitable for sensitive skin.

With all this information about honey, I gained a better understanding of how effective kind words can be. Can they aid the soul? Can they make a difference in one's health? The Scripture indicates they can.

• Congenial conversation—what a pleasure! The right word at the right time—beautiful! (Proverbs 15:23 MSG)
  
• Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket. (Proverbs 25:11 NLT)
  
• A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. (Proverbs 15:1 NLT)
  
• Children of Zion, celebrate! Be glad in your God. He's giving you a teacher to train you how to live right—Teaching, like rain out of heaven, showers of words to refresh and nourish your soul, just as he used to do. (Joel 2:23 MSG)
  
• “ 'Don’t be afraid,' he [the Man in Daniel's vision] said, 'for you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!' As he spoke these words to me, I suddenly felt stronger and said to him, 'Please speak to me, my lord, for you have strengthened me.' ” (Daniel 10:19 NLT)

There are many more benefits of honey-words. But I have to go now and have a spoonful of honey!

MaryMartha

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. United States of America. All rights reserved. Scriptures marked MSG are taken from The Message. Copyright © 2003 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.