Words have power and consequences

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words. —Proverbs 18:21 AMP

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My husband Pat received great news yesterday when he visited the surgeon. He can start walking again, though it will be a process that requires baby steps, intentionally making time to walk on the foot a little at a time, over the next week he will eventually get the strength and confidence needed to walk naturally and this time without pain.

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Watching him take these baby steps reminded me of my Zip-It Shut 40-Day Challenge by Karen Ehman. I have been both inspired and convicted with this challenge of intentionally guarding my lips and using my words with godly purposes. My husband will tell you it has been a process of making intentional baby steps with my words. I won’t lie, some days I do better than other days.

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It is a daily struggle for me to not talk too much and to listen more when I meet people or to avoid work gossip by walking away and heading back to my office. This challenge has certainly made me more aware of the words I want to come out of my mouth.

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I want my words to be a blessing, and not be critical. I want my words to bring encouragement, and not bring discouragement. I want to be a good listener and not interrupt others.

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This one is a real challenge I am working to overcome. After keeping inventory of my words, I have decided this challenge of “not interrupting,” is also long overdue.

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The Word of God is quite clear that “our words” …

… are a powerful tool for good or for evil (see Proverbs 18:21)

…when spoken at just the right moment they can be lovely to behold (see Proverbs 25:11)

…have the power to transform lives (see Proverbs 18:4)

… can cause life and health (see Proverbs 15:4)

… bring honor to others (Ephesians 5:33)

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Here’s my life motto, the truth I live by: I will guard my ways for all my days. I will speak only what is right, guarding what I speak.

Psalm 39:1-2 TPT

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How about you?  Do you want to join me in a 40-day challenge to guard your words as well?

Blessings

Cindy Dennis

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Confident living

Confidence has a snowball effect. Each time you do things to practice this skill, you gain the ability to do them more effortlessly the next time.

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For years I worried about what others might think, now I tell myself what I’d be missing out on if I didn’t do it. I had convinced myself growing up, that if people got to know me, they might not like me. So that meant living a life of intimidation, insecurity, and rejection. I missed out in so many opportunities to enjoy the gift of friendships in the early years of my adulthood.

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During the middle of my senior year in high school I moved to a new state, lived in a new housing development, and started attending a new school.

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Isolation and depression knocked at my door daily. One morning during my devotions, I found this scripture that helped to change everything:

For the Holy Spirit, God’s gift, does not want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being with them. —2 Timothy 1:7 TLB

Some weeks later I read a book by Charles Capps, entitled The Tongue: A Creative Force. I discovered that we can be held captive in our circumstances by our own words. I learned it was important to speak His faith-filled words into my situation so I could see my life transformed.

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God’s Word says in Proverbs 12:14 “Your words are so powerful that they will kill or give life…” I can allow God's creative power to flow from me through my words.

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I was encouraged to personalize 2 Timothy 1:7 into my declaration of faith: “I am not afraid of people. I love them and enjoy being with them.” Then each morning I would read this statement day by day, week by week. It was baby steps that eventually changed my perspective.

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I began to see myself more confident around people.

Like the snowball effect, I was able to take baby steps in meeting people and making friendships. Now it is a joke with my family that I never meet a stranger.

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Over the years, as I have encountered many situations where I am less-than-confident, I’ve realized that I don’t have to face these situations on my own. God is with me, and He will help me.

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Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you. —Deuteronomy 31:6 MSG

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Decide to be confident, live confidently, and work confidently.Don’t be intimidated. Don’t live afraid and insecure. You are a child of God. He is striding ahead of you, and He is right there with you. He has given you His promises to help you deal wisely and experience success (see Joshua 1:8).

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