Weapon or Tactic?

Words....

So much power in the tongue.

I don't even know how to truly start this post but I know it needs to be written. In thinking about the content, I can say that I know I am not alone in feeling the pain of words from others and even ourselves.

If it is one single item that kills and pierces harder than any weapon, it is a word spoken, written, or thought. I find myself stuck on this topic because lately because I personally know the power words have on people.

Too many times from too many people have I felt built up and crushed hard.

There is a song by "Hawk Nelson" called Words, and every time I hear that song, I know what I need to do and the power of my words.

The lyrics: "Words can build you up, words can break you down, start a fire in our hearts, or put it out"

My 3 love languages, (or the ways I most effectively communicate) are words of affirmation, touch, and quality time. God created me to be up-lifted and to uplift. I know too often the power our words have when it comes to starting or putting out fires.

Think of a fire fighter. He doesn't enter a fire without being fully equipped. If he does, he will get burned. Its not wise to walk into a fire dressed in a bathing suit. You need the proper clothing to help protect yourself and keep the fire from blazing further. If a fire fighter is not fully equipped, the fire blazes further and burns more than it would if the proper equipment was used to eradicate the problem. It is the same way with our words. We can help stir up a passion inside the hearts of those around us by speaking wisdom into their lives OR we can crush a dream and hurt the people closest to us.

If we are not adequately prepared to handle what life throws at us, we can be burned by the slightest word. I know that people react or say certain things out of their own hurts and mistakes and in turn hurt others.

We need to use this tool that God has given us to help and not hurt, to create life and not destroy.

What would our world look like if we tried to stop and think about what we said before we said it? try it. change one word when speaking to someone and see how they react...POSITEVELY.

Much Love,

Stevie Rae