I Hate Cross Words (But I Use Them Sometimes)

One of my rituals growing up was filling in the Sunday Tribune cross-word puzzles. I love cross-words.
It gives me an opportunity to stretch my mind.

There is another kind of Cross-Word as well.
The dictionary defines the word ‘Cross’ as “angry, annoyed, irate, irritated, in a bad mood, peeved, vexed, upset, irked, piqued, out of humour, put out, displeased, galled, resentful”

We all are great at “cross-words” but not with the newspaper kind.

Proverbs 25:11 is reminder to me of how cross even my words can become at times, “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver”

Words have a profound effect on the person they are directed to.
Through words of encouragement you can lift out a person from the deepest pit.
Yet, with words of ridicule and mockery you lock someone into a defeatist mode.

With words of hope you can release someone to realise their potential.
Yet, with words of deconstructive criticism you can de-motivate anyone.

With words of honesty and truth you could help someone see something they were blinded to.
Yet, with words of deception and lack of pluck you may send someone into a life of turmoil.

Words are the most precious commodity you trade in daily.
I must admit, I too regretfully sometimes engage in “cross-words” with people. Stephen Covey said, “Seek first to understand, then seek to be understood”

How are your words to,
Your family?
Your friends?
Your co-workers?
Your employee?
Your employer?
You get the idea, right?

Keep growing!

Shalom
Selvan Govender | Rev. Pastor
MA (in progress. Biblical Studies with a concentration in Education, Clarks Summit University – USA)
Associate Pastor – Caneside Fellowship Centre