Words

What words are you using today? 

Are you choosing words of life or of death?

Are you speaking into someone or adding to the destructive static already swirling in their mind?

   Last year I decided to make a few changes to better my health.  I started eating healthier foods, exercised regularly and took the vitamins my body craved.  I quickly noticed, especially when I was running, that the words I spoke to myself had a lot to do with my performance.  If I told myself, “you’re fat and you’ll always be fat” then it was much harder for me to pick up an apple than a sweet treat.  If I told myself, “you can’t run that far, you never have and you never will” then it was a lot harder to push past the pain.  I found ways to work past the negative talk and although the battle rages on, I know the truth behind the lies.

   Recently, it’s been more and more concerning to me as I listen to the way we talk to others.  Listening to the word choices we make as we speak to our family, friends and coworkers worried me that we may be making a very similar mistake just as I was in the example above.  When I have a conversation with my husband, am I speaking life into his day by telling him how proud I am, how incredibly he serves others and how much I love his passion or am I sending him off to work feeling defeated and weak?  As I share stories with coworkers and friends, am I using words that encourage and inspire or am I adding to their fears and doubts? 

   There’s a lot of static in our day to day lives.  Sometimes I sit in our home and suddenly realize just how much noise is around me.  The dryer is rumbling, the washer is running, the television in our living room is on, not to mention the mix of ceilings fan, random beeps and clicks from our phones and even music coming from my computer.  This static can be found in the people we surround ourselves with as well as how we speak to those people. 

   Everyone has their own struggles and many of our thoughts are negative or doubtful.  I certainly don’t wake up hoping to come across negative comments or destructive criticism during my day.   Reflecting on this, I need to be really careful about how I speak with others.  I need to put down my phone, turn down the static and make sure I am listening to the person in front of me.  I need to make sure that the words coming from my mouth are genuine and provide encouragement and love.  I want that person to walk away feeling better and lifted.  If that’s what I crave from others then I better be offering that as well. 

36“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Matthew 22:36-40

29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 4:29-32

   I love this scripture but it’s certainly not easy in practice. However, what if each day I tried a bit harder to make a habit of choosing life giving speech?  How would my interactions change and how would others around me benefit?  I think it’s time to take hold of our tongues and to be “a light in the world” that the static is trying to cover up!