Words

When I look back over my life I can identify specific events that were designed to stall, frustrate or prevent me from walking in who God created me to be. Most often these events were prompted by “words.” One such occasion took place in my life when I was around eight years old. I still remember it vividly.

In elementary school we rode the bus home in the evening with the High School students. On this particular occasion I was sitting near the back of the bus next to my older sister, who was laughing and joking with a classmate and another high school senior. I decided that I wanted to get in on the fun by interjecting my own comments into the conversation. When I began to speak, one of my sister’s classmates yelled out, “Hey girl, you’ve got a deep voice…you sound like a man!” Then he and everyone seated around me began to laugh, jeer and point fingers shouting, “She talks like a man!” I was embarrassed and devastated. I sat with my face pressed against the window, crying all the way home.

It was that single event at a young and impressionable age that propelled me into behaviors that were deemed shy, timid and somewhat of an introvert. After that, I rarely spoke up and would often find refuge behind my mother’s skirt when greeted. Childhood teasing and name-calling among siblings and cousins would perpetrate my insecurities

Words have power. They have creative power to bring into reality what has been planted in the realm of our mind and spirit. Words can frame our lives by influencing what we think, what we feel and how we react in certain situations. If your life is framed by negative words, you will receive negative results. When you speak positive uplifting words you will receive positive results.

The Bible teaches us that, death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof (Proverbs 18:21). Essentially, this scripture is saying: the words we speak can be life giving and life sustaining or they can bring death and bondage to the hearer. The “fruit” are the things that accompany life and death. In my case the words that were uttered during my childhood caused me to die to my purpose and brought with it fruit; feelings of shame and inadequacy. But it was the Word of God that brought forth good fruit—wholeness, self-assuredness—and He gave me life.

This very familiar scripture admonishes us to choose our words carefully. Today, purpose in your heart to speak kind words of encouragement, hope and love to your family members, friends, co-workers and all those in your circle of influence. Be intentional and conscientious about what you say. The words you speak may be just what that person needs to hear to lift their spirits, encourage their heart, or refocus a decision. Your words could mean the difference between death and life.

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