Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

Proverbs 16:24, (NRSV)

Some years ago, advertisers supporting the dairy farmers and industry came up with a slogan to promote the consumption of milk. The slogan was: “Milk … it does a body good!” This slogan was to counteract the decrease in drinking milk due to the fat content. Whether fat free, skim, 1%, 2% or whole milk, this beverage and ingredient for many recipes does indeed do a body good.

Another food that we can affirm does a body good is honey. In Proverbs 26:24 we read, “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” Honey is a natural sweetener. It is a good alternative to high fructose affirm does a body good is honey. In Proverbs 26:24 we read, “corn syrup, an ingredient of many food items. High fructose corn syrup has been identified as a contributing factor to the prevalence of obesity in America. Pleasant words are “sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”

So what are pleasant words? They are words of caring and kindness. They are words that commend and encourage. They are words that build up!

Another interesting fact about honey is that it is a food that does not go bad. Honey does not spoil. Over time it may darken in color or become slightly cloudy, but is still safe to consume. Honey can also crystallize, but warming the honey can eliminate this condition. So if pleasant words are like a honeycomb, they are constructive for building relationships. Pleasant words, like honey, do not spoil.

Consider what pleasant words you may speak today that may bring sweetness and health to the body. Consider what pleasant words you may say that will foster new relationships and strengthen the ties that bind us together as family members or friends.

Prayer

O God, we thank You for simple lessons and that through objects we may discover great truths. Help us this day and all our days to speak pleasant words that bring sweetness to the soul and health to the body. Help us to speak those pleasant words that foster new relationships and strengthen existing ones. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.