“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” Proverbs 18:21
What we say matters. Words are powerful – not because they hold any special power in and of themselves, but because of the way they impact what we believe. If we say something often enough, we’ll start to believe it – whether it’s true or not. If we hear or listen to something long enough, the same thing happens. This is why it is so important that we guard our hearts. Part of guarding our hearts is guarding what we say and hear.
Because we are dealing with life and death here, it is clear that this is serious business. Words really, really matter. They do. Here is a question for you – could it be that much of the sorrow and struggle we experience in life is related to the things we tell ourselves on a daily basis? When it comes to our thought lives, even, do we tend to think thoughts that are helpful, or hurtful? This matters. It matters a lot. I know for a fact that my entire demeanor can change based on what I’m thinking or hearing in any given moment (can I get a witness?).
The fact of the matter is that, for the most part, circumstances are irrelevant. At the end of the day, it is what we tell ourselves about my circumstances that make or break our lives. This is why you can have two different people in nearly identical situations, one who experiences great joy, while the other lives in utter despair.
What would it be like to cultivate a lifestyle saturated in positive thoughts, words, and deeds? This is what Scripture calls us to. This is part of the abundant life we’ve been promised. I don’t know about you, but I aim to walk in it. Let’s do it together.
