The power of words

The power of words

"Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body."  Proverbs 16:24

Words have power.  At God's word, the heavens came into being. At His word, we came to life.  Our words don't have this kind of power but they do have the power to bless or curse others, to build someone up or tear them down.  If our mouths speak what's in our hearts, what does that say about us?  Matthew 12:35-37 warns us to be careful with our words "The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

Beth Salinger, Hospital Hill Run Director wrote the following, "For many years I have written about the Power of Words. I often focus on removing the words "only" and "just" from our vocabulary i.e. I am ONLY doing the 5K, I am JUST a walker. What we say to ourselves can be very empowering or demoralizing. But what about the words we use around others?

This weekend I was at an expo and taking discounted registrations. A family of four came to the booth and the two young girls wanted to participate in the race (both around age 8 - 11 years old). The mother proudly told me that her older daughter had been a part of Girls on the Run for the last three years and thought it would be a good idea to do the race as a family. The father then spoke up and said that he didn't want to pay for the older daughter (the one who had been participating with Girls on the Run for THREE years) because she was ONLY a walker. Both girls walked away from the booth with their heads held low, they had gotten the message, that they were not good enough. Doing their best, which may mean walking right now, was not good enough for Dad.

Words are powerful. They can empower someone to do extraordinary things or make someone feel like he or she is not good enough. I say we all need to kick ONLY and JUST out of our vocabularies. Change your words, and you will change your attitude. And, a great attitude gets you to the finish line every time."

What a reminder to be careful about what we say.  Especially when it comes to our children.  Words, once given away, can't be taken back.  Choose them carefully and use them wisely.  "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."  Ephesians 4:29

Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word as a guide for us.  We pray that we would choose our words carefully and use them to build others up rather than tear them down.  Especially when it comes to our children, help us to glorify You in our speech teaching our children Your ways.  In your precious name Jesus, Amen.  

Happy Running!!!