The Power of Words!

Have you thought about just how powerful words can be?

Today we will reflect upon this important topic & the power we all possess through our words, over a delightful cuppa together. 

Our weather here has been a little crazy. We’ve had four seasons in one day today, this morning it was sunny & cold, just before lunch we had a sun shower & now the sky has become rather menacing with a dark storm brewing upon the horizon!

We are enjoying a Dirty Chai Latté, a new tea/coffee blend that I was introduced to a few weeks ago by my youngest daughter! Our treat is a sweet gf Banana Zucchini loaf toasted with butter melting upon its deliciousness. 

Do you get disappointed with yourself at times?

I know I do! Especially when I come away from a social gathering knowing I haven’t been as careful with my words as I should have been.

Don’t get me wrong…its not that my words were nasty, being nasty or using nasty words is something I absolutely abhor!  Nor were my words negative.

Rather I came away having that sense that my words could have been maybe a little more uplifting & the feeling I had said too much within the conversation.

As a writer & clinical professional, words are extremely important in conveying what I need to say to my audience, readers or patients.

Did you know that,

Words can actually hold the power of life or death to another’s spirit.

That’s a huge responsibility, don’t you think! 

The power of our words

You see words are that powerful! Proverbs 18:21 puts it this way: “The tongue has the power of life and death.” Our words then can either speak life or speak death. In other words our speech can build others up, or tear them down.

But there are subtleties in our speech that may also speak either life or death. These are tones & the way in which we say our words!

How & what we say always denotes where our heart attitude is at, for Jesus told us in Matthew 15: 18: “…the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart…”

A time for self reflection

Part of being Jennifer is reflecting upon my actions, reactions & my words spoken. This is how I learn from my mistakes, hopefully not to repeat them in the future!

This is not only a legacy from my professional career but also is a very important aspect of my ongoing relationship with my heavenly Father.

You see I want to continue to grow in His image until I step into heaven & that means learning from my shortfalls.

But also not beating myself up over them but rather focus upon His love & grace for me, giving that same love & grace out to others.

The language of love

Words can also be a love language in fact it’s the top of the list in Chapman’s series on Love Languages.

Words of Affirmation is definitely one of my love languages & how I know this is because it’s the way I first love others.

We often show love in the way we like to be loved. 

Did you know that Words are important to God too!

And one of the titles given to Jesus is The Word, who is the ultimate demonstration of God’s loving affirmation to mankind & who even brought Creation into being as we’re told,

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

John 1:1

He has also given us His inspired Word, the Bible for our instruction, edification, history & knowledge of His character & His loving kindness to us.

So, what are we creating with our words?

Have you noticed that there are times when we need to be careful with our words not just in certain situations but within our own inner being! More in What’s Your Inner Narrative?

This can also be at certain times when our cognitive abilities are not at their optimum as when stressed, ill, anxious, weary or exhausted.

I find when I’m tired, weary or not feeling well it’s best to take the following advice,

“There’s a time for everything under the Sun… a time to be quiet & a time to speak!”

Ecclesiastes 3: 1 & 7b

And this is the mistake I realized I had made the other day. I hadn’t heeded this advice as I normally would.

As I’m still recovering from eye surgery I knew I wasn’t operating at my optimum but I so enjoy morning tea with my precious ladies group & really needed some girl time, I went anyhow!

However, not being at my optimum should have signaled that this was a time for me to have been a little wiser & quieter within the conversation.

Oh well, I’m still a work in progress!

Have you reflected upon your words lately my friend? Are they bringing life to others in encouragement, wisdom, love & joyfulness? Or…hurt, sadness, negativity & maybe even death to their spirit?

Until next time, 

Jennifer

You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Room 

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