5 Powerful Ways to Speak Life
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I often process my day on the phone with best friend while I am driving home from work. We don’t get to chat as often now that I am no longer single, and she is no longer childless. But, we try to steal pockets of time when we can.
Every once in a while one of us will have a meltdown. By meltdown, I mean there is either a sea of tears or a spit fire of angry words. I reserve this for conversations with Barby in hopes of sparing Bruce from having to experience my crazy side.
Nothing gets me more angry than negativity. Wounded people delight in stabbing you with their words, and sadly, this happens in my life often.
Words have power.
I’ve learned I don’t have to react in pain. I can choose to respond with love and grace. I can fight the ugly.
5 Ways to Speak Life
- Validate: Take time to verbally note another’s character. Declare their worth. Kill them with kindness. (Hebrews 3:13; Ephesians 1:15-23; II Thessalonians 2:13-17).
- Celebrate: Rather than compare and criticize, let’s cheer for each other and champion another’s success (I Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 10:23-25; Philippians 2:3-4).
- Encourage: Rather than use the Word of God as a weapon of condemnation, let’s refresh others with timely wisdom that gladdens the heart (Proverbs 15: 23 & 16:24).
- Forgive: Remember you have an enemy, but it’s not the broken person standing before you. As we let go of our hurt, the shackles of bitterness fall, and we are free to love and extend grace (Ephesians 4:29-31; Colossians 3:12-17).
- Restore: Pursue peace with your words. Seek to rescue the hurting (II Corinthians 13:11; Hebrews 12:14-15).
Rather than undermine each other, let’s purpose to speak life and uplift with our words.
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Such great points!
Oh, my word! Your words, “Remember you have an enemy, but it’s not the broken person standing before you.” You just have no idea how much this helped me tonight in regards to a situation I am really struggling with. As I looked at the situation through these eyes, I was brought to tears thinking about the one who has inflicted hurt. THANK YOU, dear friend, for this…I can’t put into words how much it meant to me. I think I just made a breakthrough in the forgiving process. Praise God!
Oh Cheryl, I am so humbled to hear that. Praying for you both tonight. Hugs
Yes, I have seen the power of words for good and for ill in my own life. Thanks, Lyli, for these powerful points.
I had my own meltdown yesterday after a particularly humiliating conversation with a potential vendor for my daughter’s upcoming wedding. I’m still reeling so I’ll use your 5 ways to speak life today! Thanks, Lyli.
Oh, Lisa! I am so sorry. Hugs & prayers to you Mama.
Beautiful wisdom here today, Lyli. Validate, Celebrate, Encourage, Forgive, Restore. So good. I have a sweet family member (teen) who is learning to handle herself, but when she blows up on me, these are good to remember. 🙂
So much wisdom in each point you have made. We must be intentional in the way we combat the effect of hurtful words spoken to us. But more so, Lyli, you have reminded me to be intentional in my choice of words spoken to others. The other day I read, “How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey.” (Ps. 119:103,NLT) It made me realize that as His Word resides in my heart, in increasing measure, I will speak His words. My desire is for others to find the words I speak to them to be grace-filled and point them to Him. Grateful to have been provoked to think on this again 🙂 xo
Great truth here! Our pastor just preach the power of the tongue last Sunday from the book of James, and he mentioned this same verse in Proverbs that you highlighted in that cool imagery today. I went home and have totally been hollering at my kids all week! I needed this reminder today! Thank you!
Happy Thursday!
Megs
Sometimes I wish I had a pre-set volume button on my vocal chords. I can go high pitch & overpowering too quickly. Not pretty.
Praying this morning for you & the littles as you face summer, Megs
Amen, good stuff, Lyli!
i’ll keep these in mind: college girl just returned for the summer. enough said.
May God give you grace, mama.
I love this so much Lyli! Our words are so powerful!! We have a choice to speak life or death over situations and people. Thank you for these tips today.
Lyli – such great points — Kill them with kindness is a phrase I always say! I love that you said, we do have an enemy but it isn’t the person standing in front of us — that is such a good reminder, because sometimes it is so hard to remember when you are in the moment and feelings of it all. Thanks so much for hosting and giving some great tips to chew on all week.
Kill ’em with kindness! Always works like a charm 🙂
Bravo for speaking life, living out encouragement, cheering one another on!