“Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”
- Proverbs 16:24
March 17, 2021
Healing Words
A recent study showed that encouraging words from health-care providers can help patients recuperate faster. An experiment exposed volunteers to a skin allergen to make them itch and then compared the reactions between those who received assurance from their physician and those who did not. Patients who received encouragement from their doctors had less discomfort and itching than their counterparts.
The writer of Proverbs knew the importance of encouraging words. He wrote that “Gracious words” bring “healing to the bones.” (Proverbs 16:24). So too, encouragement buoys us for the challenges we face now and will undoubtedly encounter in the future.
We may not yet fully understand why or even how much wisdom and encouragement bring strength and healing to our daily lives. Yet the cheers of our family members, colleagues, religious leaders, friends and associates seem to help us endure difficulty (COVID-19) and steer us toward success and recovery.
Similarly, the Bible brings us encouragement when we face trials, equipping us to bear up under even these most unthinkable circumstances.
Prayer: Dear God, thank You for Your words of healing and hope. Help us, God, to be strengthened by Your wisdom and the offer of healing and hope through “gracious words” to those You have placed in our lives. Amen.
Steward Elias "Pete" Prioleau, III
Senior Board of Stewards
Mighty Men of Metropolitan
Lent 2021
The members and friends of Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church
have written their devotions and reflections on the impact of the season of Lent
in their lives. Each testimony in the booklet is a personal reflection of their experiences.
We welcome you on this journey with us as we discuss our sacrifices and hope
that some aspect of the scripture, reflections, or prayers will inspire you as you
experience the season.
Read along with us each day or download the book to read along with us offline. May God bless and keep you throughout this season of reflection.
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