Daily Wisdom for Women March 9, 2023

 March 9, 2023  Words Matter - "If anyone says to this mountain, 'God, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them."

 

Importance of words.   "If we believe the words we say with all our hearts, those words will impact our actions and what happens next."  "The way we think and what we say actually do impact our circumstances."  "Our words can be positive or negative."   Finally, "We can look at a circumstance and choose to say what we can't do or we can choose to ask God what He can do."

All of those statements have meaning to me.

As an English teacher, I encouraged my students to use a variety of words when they were writing and speaking.  Increasing their vocabulary was important, not only to show maturity, but to show intelligence and to say exactly what they meant.  As a person I know that words can encourage, can put a smile on one's face, and can create happiness, but I also know how hurtful they can be and often how those harsh words can create impressions and memories that can last a lifetime.

Also it is true, I believe, that our thoughts become words and often influence our actions.  Therefore, if our thoughts are negative, then our words will be also and in turn our actions are not beneficial to ourselves or to others.  Conversely if we are thinking positively, then we are more likely to be happier, put a smile on our faces, and be encouraging to others.  

I grew up with many negative comments aimed toward me.  I also listened to my mother bash and criticize everyone she knew, in one way or another.  Those barbed remarks didn't end when I became an adult; in fact, she was still pointing out my faults just weeks before she died.  Those words hurt.  I can't hear phrases like 'common sense' or ' perfectly good food' without thinking about how many times I was told I had none (common sense) or that I would be arrested (because I cleaned out the fridge of all the moldy and rotten food).    I hope I am not doing the same thing to my daughters or my grandchildren.

Words can be encouraging or they can be hurtful. Words matter.

Dear God, remove negative talk from my mouth.  Help me see the world as You do--full of possibilities for You to work in my life and move mountains.  Amen.