Hyperbole

Bobby and I have made a concentrated effort to not use the phrase "might die." As in, "If I had to hear the song again I might die," or "If I have to go run again I might die." Two months on the other side of really almost dying, I cringe when I hear people say that.

Today I caught myself doing a similar thing. In an email to a friend I wrote about something that startled me, and I said that "I almost had a panic attack!" Then I erased it. Why? I have a good friend who suffers from panic attacks. I was being flippant. I have no idea what a panic attack is like.

More importantly, I am considering these verses as I ponder speech in general:

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18

The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips. Proverbs 16:23

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:29-32

Though I just listed two specific instances, I don't want to make rules about things one can or cannot ever say. I just want to be more aware of what the content of my words is, and the meaning it can convey. I want to be more aware of my specific audience, whether one person or a group of people, and make sure my words are for the building up and encouragement of others, not just talking for talking's sake.