“Stick and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” Not true! Words have power–they can lift you up or tear you down. Words can speak life or death into a person’s soul.
In the creation account, we are witness of this, “Let there be light, and there was light.” Through God’s spoken word, the world was created.
Words matter.
History continually teaches us that the spoken word has a resounding effect on us and on our society. Leaders have a unique power to inspire and lift up the masses.
This quote from President Franklin D. Roosevelt, delivered during a time of deep despair at the height of the Great Depression, gave a nation hope, “This great nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper….the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
The famous words of Dr. Martin Luther King, “I have a dream… a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character,” cast a vision that lifted society to a higher level.
Although the majority of us will not find our words in a history book, what we say to others will live on in the hearts of others. They hold the power to inspire with hope, or tear down with negativity. The choice is ours.
Where do you turn for guidance? Jesus is our example; he spoke words of compassion, forgiveness, healing and love. Ultimately he spoke with his own life so that we might have life.
Do you believe that our words have power? I am interested in your experience. Share with me how you inspire and encourage others with your words.
My prayer is, Lord, teach us to speak life to others through our words and actions.
