The Power of a Hug

Have you ever given or a received a hug? If you’re living and breathing I’m sure you have. But have you ever stopped to consider the power that a hug has.

Recently my husband was having a rough day. He was trying to get some projects done around the house. But things were just not going the way he had hoped. He was frustrated. He was tired. He was afraid he would have to start all over again.

And as it is usual for most of us, the more frustrated we become the easier it is to topple over onto others. Many times when I’m frustrated and my stress is rising it’s extremely difficult to keep level and not chew off someone’s head as soon as they open their mouth.

Or, I find really hard to give a normal tone of voice answer when I feel like running from the room and stuffing my face in a pillow. This person has done nothing wrong towards me. This person has done nothing to escalate my feelings of frustration but if they happen to be the first one to talk to me they might just get the first jumbled unkind words off my tongue

He was frustrated. He came inside. He spoke some unkind things.

But this time was different for me. Instead of snapping back or turning into a sour puss too. I just held my tongue and went about my business. About 5 minutes later he was calmer and took a seat in the kitchen for a break.

I went up behind and just wrapped my arms around for about a minute. No words were spoken. No eye contact was made.

I walked away and continued cleaning up the kitchen.

A few minutes later he spoke something calmly to me and smiled. I was amazed. All because I loved on him. All because I didn’t make a bad situation worse. All because I held my tongue.

Oh the power in that tongue.

I’ve been working on memorizing the book of James. Don’t ask how long it’s taken me but…

Here’s one of my key verses that I’m drilling in.

pressing in..

leaning on…

James 3: 2

Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.

The tongue has the power to condemn.

To make one ashamed.

To make one feel unloved.

To make one feel disrespected.

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But if you hold that all in and replace it with a hug.

Healing can take place.

Chains can be broken.

Hearts can be united.

Distrust can be set aside.

Agony can be lifted.

Joy can overflow.

This isn’t no ordinary hug, my friends. This is the life giving, joy filling, wonder working power of Jesus working in and through us.

This isn’t me or you doing my own free will. This is about letting Jesus transform and shape us into the person he already sees inside of us.

This is me or you reaching out and saying YES despite our feelings saying no.

Are you ready to give it a try?

Replace a hug with that smart reply or that angered frustration.

It’s a breath of fresh air on a hot summer day.

Have you ever felt the power of a hug whether in giving or receiving?

It’s one of life’s precious gifts. Use it. Give it. It’s free.

And it has the power to change a moment.

Have a blessed day friends,

Melanie

xo