“You can’t put the toothpaste back in the tube.” When I was an elementary school counselor, we used this metaphor to teach children that once words left their mouth, they were impossible to put back.
Just like with words, some people squeeze the tube a little bit and regret saying mean or unkind words. Then, there are others who take the toothpaste tube and squirt it everywhere, leaving damaged feelings in their wake!
Words are powerful.
They have the capacity to heal, encourage, and build others up. However, they also have the power to destroy.
And just like we should gently squeeze our tube of toothpaste, we should gently choose our words to guard the hearts of others.