Essay on the Gift of Healing
"Pleasant Words"

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Two Poems on Pleasant Words

A Prayer

When we think of healing, we often think only of physical health. But we have the assurance of God's word in Prov 16.24 that pleasant words bring sweetness and healing to a person's very soul.

For we (Christians) are His (God's) workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works...
(Eph 2.10a, NKJV)


Each born again Christian feels a deep inner need to serve God. Eph 2.10a names one of the services that God asks every Christian to do for Him. Namely, it calls upon every Christian to do good works.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
(Eph 2.8-9, NKJV)


Good works are something you do because you ARE saved, and not in order to BECOME saved or remain saved. As Eph 2.9-10 clearly states, good works will not get a person saved from his or her sins. Salvation is by the grace of God through faith alone. To be saved, all you gotta do is believe on Jesus Christ (Rom 10.9-10).

Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.
(Prov 16.24, NKJV)

You may not have the talent or calling to be a great preacher or evangelist, but there is one special ability that God bestows on every Christian who asks for it, including you. It is the talent for "pleasant words" -- comforting and encouraging other people. Pleasant words are a good work you can do, and it will be especially pleasing to God -- a sweet savor in His nostrils. Pleasant words are in critically short supply among God's people today.

The following are a couple of poems that beautifully express the reason why encouraging and comforting other people will, in the words of Proverbs 16.24, bring sweetness to their souls and health to their bones.


I Know Something Good About You

Wouldn't this world be better,
If people we meet would say,
"I know something GOOD about you!"
And treat you just that way?

Wouldn't it be splendid,
If each greeting good and true,
Carried these words of assurance,
"I know something GOOD about you?"

Wouldn't life be happier
If the good that's in us all,
Was the only thing about us,
That people would recall?

Wouldn't our days be sweeter,
If we praised the good we see?
For there is a lot of goodness,
In the worst of you and me.

Wouldn't it be fine to practice,
This way of thinking, too?
Do you know something good about me?
I know something good about YOU!

The Gift of Pleasant Words

I have no voice for singing,
I cannot make a speech,
I have no gift for healing,
I know I cannot preach.

I'm not much good at leading,
I cannot supervise,
And anything I've written,
Would never win a prize.

But when my friends are hurting,
I give a word of cheer.
When they tell me all their troubles,
I always lend an ear.

It seems my only talent,
Is sadly all too rare,
Just to listen and encourage,
And let you know I care.

But many lonely people,
Might only sit and pine,
Were it not for those few Christians,
Who have a gift like mine.

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Here is a prayer that you might wish to speak to God right now...

Father, I ask you to give me the gift of speaking pleasant words. I don't ask that I should merely have this gift, but that you would grant me the boldness and love to USE it every day. I ask that I may be your voice, daily speaking words of healing and hope to those around me. In Christ's name, amen.

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