I don't realize how powerful my words are.
I should realize this because other people's words are incredibly powerful to me.
Recently I was around a 70-year-old man who (I assume) found Christ in the past five years. I listened as he passionately talked about Jesus and the power of forgiveness. I could hear it in his voice, see it in his body language, and understand it through his words. I left our talk somehow a better man. Inspiring!
Words influence reality.
Not long after, I was having a conversation with some family about our favorite places to eat out. Prior to this conversation I wasn't hungry but after about 10 minutes, I realized I was starving. That conversation did something to me.
Words define reality.
If people's words influence me, my words influence other people.
The problem? I don't consider this when I find myself complaining to my wife or my friends or my family or my kids. I find myself defining a reality that I don't want to define. I don't want my loved ones to be negative. I don't want my loved ones to be critical. I don't want my loved ones to complain. But with my words, I define reality to people I talk to.
My words are incredibly powerful.
I believe I have a choice. I can speak life and hope and joy and peace into the people I'm around, or the opposites. I can build people up or tear them down; all with my words. And the choice is mine.
Something about God I find extremely fascinating - He created the universe by speaking it into existence. Check out the first chapter of Genesis in the Bible. And if I am created in the image of God, I must assume that my words carry more weight than I realize.
And so I'm left with this choice. When I open my mouth, what will I choose?
If my words define reality, let me say a few things…
-I will speak about the great things I see in people.
-I will tell my wife how wonderful and beautiful she is.
-I will tell my kids how I love them and I'll cherish our moments together.
-I will see the beauty in life.
-I will enjoy the sunny hot summer days.
-I will try to love this new puppy our family just got when it destroys our shoes, watches, and pees on our carpet.
-I will speak life into people's experiences.
-I will allow God to shape my heart.
-I will never take a day for granted.
-I will forgive as Christ forgave me.
-I will put others before myself.
-I will surrender control.
-I will never stop growing.
-I will acknowledge the power of my words.
-I will choose to speak life.
Our words are powerful.
