The Power Of Life And Death

Have you ever been on the receiving end of loving words? Joyous words? Words of pure kindness?  If so, I would bet that your heart was filled with love and you felt warm and fuzzy.  Have you ever been on the receiving end of hurtful words?  Mean words?  Words full of spite, pain, and cruelty.  If this is the case, I would bet that you felt upset, unloved, and even deflated.  The power of life and death are in your words. How are you using them?

The power of life and death are in the tongue and we eat the fruit of them… Proverbs 18:21

I was recently reading a devotional called Love Is The Point.  An excellent devotional by actors Carlos and Alexa PenaVega.  Throughout it, they describe what love is, how to love others, and most importantly that God is love.  

How we go about our day and how we speak to others says a lot about how full our heart is of love.  If our heart is empty – our words may also be empty.  If our heart is full, our words will be full.  In other words, our words have the power to speak life and death.  

How conscious are you with your words?

How selective are you with your words?

How encouraging are you with your words?

How uplifting are you with your words?

How loving are you with your words?

Asking yourself these questions may have some realistic answers to begin the necessary steps in improving your conversations.  I must admit.  I can fall into habit of not being encouraging or uplifting. Sometimes, when I am so self-focused, all I crave is attention on myself and miss amazing opportunities to compliment my loved ones.  I will receive and take in each and every encouraging, uplifting and endearing word someone may say to me, but there are more than enough times I do not return the action.  

Aside: If you missed last week’s blog “Like Because; Love Despite” – it was about grace. Even I can fall into having a bad day or being self-absorbed causing my words to be less than awesome or loving. Give grace to yourself as well – you deserve it.

If you are often like this – it could be that you are also being self-focused – closed minded – or even self-absorbed.  Maybe you are stressed over your overwhelming job?  Possibly a health scare has you worried?  Maybe you have an event or a holiday coming up and are a bit jittery about how it will turn out?  If any of these (or whatever is the issue) are the case – open up to your loved ones so they can support you.  Be honest.  I know for myself when I am, that changes my whole heart.  Allowing the calm of a supported loved one can fill your heart with security and love allowing your stress to decrease, which will in turn provide those powerful words of love your loved ones need to hear.  

Your words can be a gift. 

Make that gift something that the intended person cherishes forever. 

  Not something that makes them cringe.  

As you go about your day today – be conscious of your words.  Remember the old saying your mom used to teach you, “Think before you speak”.  It’s actually a good lesson we should all remember, because if we did – the world would hear a lot more loving positive words and a lot less trash.

Your words are energy. Your words are strength.  Your words are power.

Now, go and give the power of life today as a gift. There’s nothing like the present to do so (no pun intended…..)