Did You Hear? How Words Impact our Lives.

Words impact our lives in encouraging and discouraging ways. Written words have a continued power since they can be read over and over again. What kinds of words do you use?

Words Like Puzzle Pieces

Words spill into and through our lives like puzzle pieces dumped from a box. They get mixed up at times and the sorting becomes a struggle. Have you ever played or watched children play the game of ‘telephone’ or some call it ‘gossip’? It can be humorous and its goal, other than a good laugh, is to help with listening skills. The first person whispers a sentence into the next person’s ear. They pass on what they heard in a whisper to the next person in line and the whispered message is passed from person to person. The last person speaks the words they heard out loud. They may be close to the original or completely different.

Whispered words are more difficult to hear which is why the telephone game for children has results that make us laugh and wonder how the words could become so twisted in such a short period of time. When words are whispered or spoken aloud into our lives, they carry their powerful and sometimes misunderstood messages deep into our minds and hearts. At times they can encourage us and enable us to try knew things. Yet often, words carelessly said, have cut deeply and the wounds heal slowly, if at all.

Written words have a continued power since they can be read over and over again. The message might be clear but is it uplifting or does it tear down. Are the written words true or are they from a skewed perspective of the hurting writer? What do you put in an email or a letter and how will those words impact the reader?

A Devastating Comment

Decades ago, a teacher wrote this comment on a short story assignment. “You have an unrealistic viewpoint.” There were few red edit marks on the piece and a very good mark which I have long ago forgotten. But this comment, at the bottom of the paper, stuck with me. What did he mean? What did I perceive his comments meant? At the time, it devastated me. As I focused on the comment without asking him any questions, I began to believe he meant I wasn’t a writer and should never aspire to write. In hindsight, I know it meant his viewpoint on life and my Christian perspective differed greatly and, in his opinion, mine was the unrealistic one. After all, how could God possible redeem a life and help a rebellious young person change their life?

Words That Encourage

Those words, misunderstood at the time, begged for clarification. I allowed them to push down a love of telling stories in written form for decades. Words are powerful and easily misunderstood. But they can also be uplifting. Years ago, a lovely Christian woman, spoke words of encouragement into my life at a time when everything I heard was perceived in a negative way. She listened. She chose her words wisely but spoke truth when she asked questions, like, “You struggle with depression don’t you?”

But she didn’t leave it at that. She gathered several other Christian women who lived with the black cloud of depression and facilitated a safe place to share, cry, vent, and learn to trust God’s promises for our lives. She spoke words that encouraged, lifted us up, told us the good she observed in us, and shared God’s word with us as well. She also suggested saving notes that encouraged us. Did someone send you a card that spoke positively to and about you? Save it and reread it when the whispered words around you threatened to pull you down.  Words are powerful.

Ephesians 4: 29-32 says,

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up, according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do no grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed, for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one anther, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.

Words are powerful for good and for hurting, so may we pray with the Psalmist, David, in Psalm 19:14,

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer.

Are you dealing with discouraging words? We would love to hear from you. Comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.