The Power of the Tongue

Did you know that the words you speak can determine the direction of your life? It's hard to believe it, isn't it? How can such a small part of your body be so powerful? The bible clearly points this out in several verses:

"The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences." Proverbs 18:21

"A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness crushes the spirit"

Sadly, a vast majority of people don't realize how powerful their words are, it literally can breath life  or death into peoples lives. Many successful people often reflect back and point out one person who encouraged them to pursue their dreams, despite their current circumstances, often a teacher, boss, relative, friend etc.

On the other hand; a large group of successful people also state that they have met people who have negatively impacted their life, simply because of the words they spoke to them. I remember as a child growing up, i struggled with mathematics, and i met a teacher who called me stupid and literally stated that i would amount to nothing. I was very young, and my mind at the time didn't have the ability to filter positive from negative and then make a firm decision based on the truth i now know, which states that:

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me", "I alone know the plans i  have for you, for good and not for evil, to prosper you and not to fail you, plans to give you a future and a hope", "You shall be the head and not the tail, above only and not beneath." I repeat these and many verses in my mind through out the day, when i am faced with extremely challenging projects, meetings or presentations, i don't allow fear, discouragement or lack of confidence to get the best of me, because i realize my hope is in the creator of the universe, there is NOTHING too hard for my God.

One of my favorite verses is, Isaiah 54:10, "Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you." Isaiah 54:10 .......WOW!!!, That's how much God loves us, though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed? how amazing! God loves us y'all and my confidence, every day is not dependent on things or people, because these do change, but its dependent on God, he is a constant help in time of need and just repeating these verses in my mind when faced with challenges, always gives me the courage i need to make it through.

Although my high school teacher spoke negative words regarding my ability to understand math, even though i was struggling with it, i finally managed to over come it, but i lived a large part of my life believing the words she spoke, and didn't even think i could do anything better than what she suggested...praise God, i met a professor in college who spoke words of life to me regarding the same subject and literally brought back to life, something that had literally been killed by another person in the same position, earlier in my life.

Whatever you do, never underestimate the power of the tongue, use it to build and encourage  others, never use it to say negative things about people, it doesn't benefit anyone, if you can't speak life into their life, please just keep that powerful tool shut, but for goodness sake! Please don't speak death into anyone's dreams, aspirations, goals and other areas of their life. Little as it may seem, the tongue is a powerful tool, use it wisely and with love :)