Those that know me personally know that I feel unshakably uncomfortable if I leave my house without a few bracelets on my wrist. Every bracelet has a little bit of meaning or a story behind it. For the last year, I've been wearing one that says TH(i)NK, with my church's name written on the back.

TH(i)NK is an acronym for thinking about what you say before you say it. Is it (T)rue? Is it (H)elpful? Is it (N)ecessary? Is it (K)ind? The reason that the "i" is singled out is that it's the most important of them all:

Would (i) want it to be said to me?

You may have also noticed that the "i" is the only letter that is lowercase. That's because it represents where we stand. First, God. Second, others. Yourselves, last.

Does what you're saying reflect God well and you as a Christian? Is it beneficent toward other people?

I wear this bracelet whenever I'm out and about to remind me that words are more important than I think and to always TH(i)NK when I encounter people.

Imagine for a second that we didn't have words. That our speech was ripped from us. What would we do then?

What we say to people and the way we say it has a bigger impact than we think. Our words can tear people down, influence bad things or give off the wrong impression of who we are as people.

The reality of it is that we don't know everyone's story. We don't know what some people are going through when they're home or behind closed doors.

One little word could make or break them.

The good thing about all of this is that you have the power to change that. Start speaking with words of encouragement, build people up and be there for those that need you.

If you're like me and like to talk, be quiet for a minute and just listen. Replay some of the conversations from that day in your head. Is what you said to people true, helpful, necessary and kind?