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Whoever said “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” must have lived in a monastery or some other place where words are rarely used.
If you didn’t already know it, let me tell you something: Words are powerful.
At the writing conference I recently attended, literary agent Chip MacGregor spoke on this very subject. He explained that words move us, that words help us find beauty and meaning in life.
That words change us.
When Chip finished speaking, I thought about which words have changed me the most. The following list is the result of my pondering.
You are talented.
You are cherished.
You are beautiful.
I find joy in your presence.
I love you.
I have called you.
You are my beloved child.
Do you know why all of these words have changed me? Because they are spoken to me by the God of this universe. He has spoken them through his Holy Word, through his creation, and through Jesus’s death on the cross.
God has given me a love of language, of using words to express compassion, love, honesty, joy, and anything else I feel. I am so grateful he chooses to communicate to my heart in the same way.
After all, as Chip pointed out, John called Jesus himself “the Word” — “In the beginning was the Word.”
No wonder I love words so much.
Question for You: Which words have changed you?
Wonderful post, it gave me goose bumps as I read it. I especially liked the part about loving Words because Jesus is the Word. I had never thought of it that way before.
My Wed night Bible study is focusing on Wisdom, last week we talked about the power of words and how the fool speaks his mind and cannot bridle his tongue (or try to, since we all fail in this area). I will share with them what you said about loving Words!
Thanks, TC! Yes, words can lift up and encourage, but they also have the power to destroy if we aren't careful. We need to watch our words! 🙂
Hi Lindsay, What a great post! In the midst of all the negative words filling our hearts and minds, this is a good reminder to focus on the true words of the Truth Speaker. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for stopping by, Sarah!
What you've said is so true. We need to focus on the words of the Lord, not the words of our enemy who "prowls like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."