What if your life took the direction of your words? What if someone’s life took the direction of the words you speak to, about, over them (they don’t have to hear them for them to take effect)? I know, I know. You are probably thinking “Naaah, I am not that powerful”. And yet the Bible tells us that our tongues have the power to create and to kill.
What if the words you speak were seeds being planted to one day be harvested? Would you then be forced to consider what seeds you may plant? Or would you leave it to chance, act ignorant, and just throw around seed aimlessly? Would this change how you speak to and about yourself, your spouse, your children, your family members, your colleagues, your neighbors, your employer, your employees, your Pastor, your leaders, your nation?
As we close the door on October and look forward to a new month, my hope and prayer before the end of this year is that, starting with me, we will speak life into people, situations, even the future. Not so we ignore reality, but so we can spur ourselves or someone else on to do better, make better choices. How would your life be different if every word you spoke, or that was spoken to you throughout this month was positive?
Challenge: For the next 30 days, be intentional about seeing the good in yourself, others, situations and focus on that instead. It may surprise you when you notice the good that the bad may take a turn for the better (not guaranteed, but wouldn’t it be a great month just by trying it?). I know there are bad things happening around. People make mistakes, we fail often. Illness and death are a fact of life. This coming month, please try to share news, comments, feedback, thoughts, etc in a positive light.
Does this mean we should not call people out who are messing up?
It just means we should pause, find what they are doing right, and ask them to keep doing that. It could be the start of a beautiful story, of growing confidences and getting results without breaking a sweat, or breaking a spirit.
Yes, sometimes a word from you, however well intended or well-deserved by the other person, could break someone’s spirit. And you could say “they need to stop being too sensitive” but since you do not understand what made them that sensitive in the first place, how about you work with them as they are and watch all the possibilities unfold. A kind word in a tough season could be all someone in our space needs. You don’t need to know what they are going through, just assume everyone has their own issues and be kind to them, anyway.
Does this mean I will not have negative thoughts?
Of course not! But I hope my tongue will be tame enough not to speak them. And where I cannot see anything positive, I pray I will shut up. If you know me at all, you know this is a tall order, but it is one I plan to take in small sips, one day at a time.
