My Favorite Three-Letter Word

When it comes to movies, I enjoy good dialogue. Now and then someone will be trying to explain something when they are interrupted by the listener saying, “I hear a ‘but’ coming.”

Even if the speaker is saying something positive, the listener believes something negative is coming. They’re usually right.

Communication, including self-talk, should balance positives and negatives. Remember the days of high school speech class? I do.

Some critique was expected, but the major rule was this: A positive comment must be made before a negative comment can be given. A few positive words always softened the blow of the inevitable “but.”

I think the purpose of this three-letter word is to bring balance. There are always two sides to an issue. Life is full of both positives and negatives.

We can precede a positive thought with a negative one, or we can reverse it . . . start with the positive, followed by a negative.

Here’s an example. Which would you choose to make your point?

1)      I’m so glad you’re my daughter, but I’d like to see you take more interest in your appearance.

2)      I’d like to see you take more interest in your appearance, but I’m so glad you’re my daughter.

I love reading Proverbs. It’s filled with my favorite three-letter word. This creates comparisons which cause me to think. However, even the New Testament gets into the balancing act.

A good example is 1 Peter 1:24, 25. The writer quotes from Isaiah where man is compared to grass that withers and flowers in the grass that fade away.

Sounds like a downer, doesn’t it? Don’t give up. Read on:  . . . “but the word of the Lord endures forever.”

Now that’s encouraging for a couple of reasons: 1) I can find personal long-lasting hope in God’s Word, and 2) When trying to encourage someone else, I have more than my well-meaning words to share.

God’s Word endures forever. Grab it and hang on . . . there’s no expiration date!