We wield incredible power with our words. Do we speak life or death into the lives we touch?

 

Beautiful peach colored ranuncluous close up - spiritual meditation about the power of words - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Have you ever been in someone’s home and watched as a parent or sibling spoke a few choice words and you observed a physical change in the individual to whom those words were spoken?

I intentionally used the term, “a few choice words.”

When you read that statement you most likely thought I was referring to unkind, demeaning, or hurtful words.  But, actually, “choice words” simply means words of one’s own choosing.  And really don’t we all choose our words when we speak?

Some of my favorite videos are of a parent telling their child they are going to Disney or will have a new baby brother which usually results in shrieks of joy or tears of happiness.

When my husband comes home my heart swells when he tells me the food simmering on the stove smells good or comments on something I’ve created or done to make our home look nice.

We all want to be verbally recognized and encouraged.

 

Words can bring death or life! Proverbs 18 v21 - Single tulip against black - Devotional to encourage our choices of words - AnExtraordinaryDay.netWords can bring death or life! 
Proverbs 18:21

The thing is… how often do we weigh or measure our words and consider the outcome of our particular word choices?

Whenever we speak we have the power to change lives.

You can speak love and encouragement into a friend or co-worker’s life.

Or worse… humiliate someone who is already having a bad day.  We might not want to think about the possible consequences of those word choices… but in reality… they are words that bring death to the spirit.

 

Single peach colored ranunculous - from a devotional meditation reminding us of the power of words - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Some time ago I challenged friends of An Extraordinary Day to consider their words and to choose to speak words of encouragement.

One of those readers took me up on the challenge and it had an amazing outcome…

I was back at Wegman’s today. Each time I go I look for the cashier who was very kind to me a few weeks ago when I really should not have been out, I felt so very poorly. Today, I saw her and got in her line. She didn’t seem to recall my story but was so pleased and asked me to repeat it to her supervisor who just happened to be walking by. It was humbling, having to tell someone else how kind the employee had been to the crotchety, unhappy customer, but I did.

She announced it would go into the employee’s file, thanked her for doing her job well and then announced to her that she would be given a free lunch today. My lady seemed stunned and as we finished my transaction, she thanked me again. I replied that only the Lord could have sent me in her line that day and her soothing attitude and words probably kept me safe on the road that day. She agreed that He was in charge, then and today. She asked to hug me and with tears in her eyes and her beautiful smile, told me that she had no money to buy a lunch.

Joy bells were ringing for both of us.   –Elaine

Elaine was the recipient of kind words on a day when she was feeling “very poorly.” That cashier’s words breathed life into her spirit.  So much so that she watched each time she went to the store to see if she could find her cashier again to thank her.

A good story of good words gets even better when both the cashier and the supervisor heard Elaine’s life-giving words of gratitude.

And how is it… that on the very day the cashier was without money or lunch… Elaine discovered her cashier and breathed life into an undoubtedly tired and hungry woman?  It’s God.  Only he could orchestrate the timing… IF we fill our hearts and minds with God and goodness AND consciously adopt the thought pattern of considering our words and actions.

 

Beautiful peach and orange ranunculous flowers - faith meditation on the power of words - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Every time we open our mouths we are welding an incredible amount of power…

the power of life and death are in our words.

 

Kind words bring life, but cruel words crush your spirit.
Proverbs 15:4

Thoughtless words can wound as deeply as any sword, but wisely spoken words can heal. 
Proverbs 12:18

What you say can preserve life or destroy it; so you must accept the consequences of your words.
Proverbs 18:21

Good people do good things because of the good in their hearts. Bad people do bad things because of the evil in their hearts. Your words show what is in your heart.
Luke 6:45

 

Pretty Peach Ranunculous Flowers - Inspirational thoughts on the power of words - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Maybe as you were growing up your mom would say to you, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything.” At the time you might have felt reprimanded.  However, those were words of wisdom and a great reminder to think before we speak.

When we consider the power we have in our choices of words, thinking before we speak is incredibly important.

May this verse be our prayer…

Lord, help me control what I say. Don’t let me say anything bad.
Psalm 141:3

And may this verse be our motto…

When you talk, don’t say anything bad. But say the good things that people need—whatever will help them grow stronger. Then what you say will be a blessing to those who hear you.
Ephesians 4:29

Let’s be people who speak words of life…

who encourage and lift up… and are peacemakers… rebuilders… restorers…

So that… friendships, marriages, and families will be repaired and the world will be better because we think before we speak and ultimately choose to speak life into a hurting and dying world.

I’d love to hear the ways you choose to speak life into the people you touch each day.  

Share your thoughts here… or pop over to my Facebook page and share your experiences there.  I’m really looking forward to our community becoming known as purposeful encouragers. 

Purposeful encouragers are world-changers… simply by choosing our words wisely.

Pin It to remember for Later because it's so good - AnExtraordinaryDay.netThere is POWER in your words - 6 Bible Verse to help yu speak LIFE not death - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

JoyDay! - Spiritual Meditation on the Power of Words - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

It’s JoyDay!

 
Please join me in thinking back over the past week and counting seven things for which you are thankful.  This simple exercise of counting and giving thanks together in this space is something we do each week to reset our compasses and put our eyes back on the Lord.

I’ll start…

Thank you, God…

  1. for making my words powerful… help us to use our words to encourage, lift up, and bring life.
  2. for three days of sunshine and all the energy it brings!
  3. the free box of Hello Fresh meals.  Yum!
  4. for my small group and the good sleep I get every Tuesday night. 
  5. for my new reading glasses… the blue light filter is amazing.
  6. that You are faithful, loving, kind, and always with me.
  7. that You are our redeemer, restorer, and rebuilder. Thank you for leading us each day.

Now…it’s YOUR turn!

List your ‘seven’ in the ‘share your extraordinary thoughts’ section below.  You’ll be glad you did.

Thank you for stopping by and leaving your sweet thoughts.

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Comments

  1. Gwen says

    Joy Day I’m doing on a Monday. I looked in Spam and there you were. I’m glad I was searching for you as I’d been looking in my inbox. Yes you’re in my contacts. It happens.
    1. New job today for my husband. It’s a good job. Praying for his health and thankful for this wonderful blessing of work in his field.
    2. We had rain!!! And snow in our mountains!!! Every bit helps to keep the drought at bay.
    3. Daffodils at the store. I thought of you. They were very reasonable. It’s a short season. But how gorgeous they make my house look!!!! Cheerful!!!! I could hear you saying that this small gift to ourselves (actually my hubby was encouraging me to get them) cheers our home for us. God you’ve given so many pretty flowers in my yard right now.
    4. A quiet much needed day of rest. Last week had some hard days physically so grateful for rest. Sunshine. Please Lord remove that evil from our neighborhood. Thank you for birds and soft breezes.
    5. Nice visit with a wonderful friend.
    6. Fun time a week ago with my six month old grandson.
    7. Sweet memories.

    • Praise God for Curt’s new job!!! May it be the perfect fit for him and may he be a blessing to those he works with and serves and may he, in turn, be blessed with good relationships and financial prosperity.
      Yay for daffodils!! How fun for you, Gwen! They are like trumpets of praise to God glistening in their beautiful golden glory.
      May your heart overflow this week with more joy than you can imagine! xoxo

  2. Judy Scantland says

    Great post, Diane !!

    • Thank you, Judy! That means so much to me!
      I have so much catching up to do with you… where does the time go?
      Big hugs!!

  3. Minnie says

    Happy Joy Day!
    Happy to see you in my in box just waiting for me. Always makes me smile.
    I always told my kids God spoke the world and everything in it to show us just how powerful words are.
    Lord this week I am thankful for,
    1. I briefly got to talk to my Dad a few days ago. He is so very sick but hanging on. Hearing him tell me how much he loves me…while crying because each time we talk we just don’t know if it’s the last time.
    2. As I lift him to you in prayer I know you hear me.
    3. When I was outside the other day in the oh so cold rain I spotted the rain drops on the tree dancing like little diamond Christmas ornaments.
    4. Middle son came over with paint and wood scraps. Oh the fun I am having!
    5. Grand babies are getting over the nasty little cold bug.
    6. No I’ll effects from that bump on the head that R. received.
    7. The prettiest baby Fox was by my fence the other day. Always happy to see the wildlife in my backyard.
    One more funny thing….Just found out it wasn’t Minnie Mouse, it was Minnie Pearl that inspired my name. Now I finally know why my Dad ALWAYS laughed at my sun hats. Funny thing is I’ve always known who she was but for some reason never put the two together. Don’t I feel silly
    Have a beautiful week my friend! You are in my thoughts❤️
    Blessings to you
    Minnie

    • Awww… thanks, Minnie, I feel truly hugged by your warm words!

      You were such a wise mom. What a wonderful truth to impart to your children about the power of words. I need to remember to make that connection, as well.

      Thank you for sharing your ‘seven.’ I love your heart of gratitude… always I’m blessed, too!

      Minnie Pearl! Now that’s a great story!! So much better than a mouse albeit a very very cute mouse!! 😉

  4. Ivory says

    Wow, thought provoking post. Thank you, because we all need these reminders.

    • Thank you Ivory!! Yes… we do. I can’t tell you how often these posts are written as much for me as for you and the other readers. I love how the Holy Spirit works.
      Have a blessed weekend my friend!

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