"Those from among you Shall build the old waste places; You shall raise up the foundations of many generations; And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In."

Isaiah 58:12

When I was married I inherited a home my husband already owned and I also inherited a dog- all in addition to gaining a husband.

I'm not really much of a dog person or pet person for that matter, but this dog was a true sweetheart. She was a Rottweiler and had been the product of divorce. Her name was Baby Grace and I look back now and see how instrumental and prophetic this dog would be in the unfolding of God's design on my life to grow to deep levels of Grace, but at that time my faith was still like a baby.

Neither owner wanted to keep her and so she found her way into our home. This dog turned out to be a real gift from God in my life. She was very calm and loyal as can be. She was gentle and protective. I felt safe when she was around for my husband was away for work most of the time. My husband used to travel a lot for business and spent ridiculously long hours at the office. I was home alone a lot. So it didn't take long for me and this pooch to bond.

She had been abused, I could tell. She would pull back a bit when you'd reach your hand to touch her or pet her. She would not let you hug her at all. She did not snuggle.

She must have been struck before.

Even though we had never been rough with her at all she had the imprint from previous relationships. So I learned to reach out slowly and not suddenly. I learned to use my voice to soften her disposition. Over time she healed and she trusted completely. She became a 110 pound lap dog!

Everything I did for my pet is true for humans as well. Our tone of voice and physical countenance, our facial expression, can make a huge difference in how people receive us. How you speak to people, your tone of voice can lift and salve a soul or it can cut like a punch to the gut. Some people may not hit you with their fist, but they hit you with their tongue. The damage is the same or I dare say worse when it happens with the tongue. For verbal abuse causes damage that can't be seen with the eye, but it deeply damages the soul. Verbal abuse can cause people to respond to even the smallest criticism the same way my dog responded to my touch when I first got her.

Do you know anyone who fits this description? Do they recoil even when you aren't trying to hurt them?
Be patient and long suffering with them. A wounded person is a tender person who desperately needs love.

Are you this person? You have deep wounds of soul that grip you and hold you? Do you have an abusive person in your life? You are not alone. Verbal abuse is a silent killer of hearts I think. There are people all around who suffer and hold it in and no one knows what they endure.

Do you feel stuck in a place of abuse or in an abusive relationship? Begin to pray for God to bring open doors of healing for you. There are people and resources available, but most times there is intense fear in a place of abuse. If this is you, pray for God to bring open doors to you. He will guide your path and protect you.

Whether this scenario has merit in your life or not, be mindful of your words, your countenance and your voice. Our words can hurt or heal, nurture and care or damage beyond repair. But God cares and can heal any damage. He doesn't want to leave anyone there in a place of abuse.

He is the Restorer of streets with no dwelling and Repairer of broken walls. He can cause a fountain to birth in a parched land, he can heal the inner man. -Nicole

"A soothing tongue is a tree of life..." Proverbs 15:4