Speak Life

There's three things in particular I have observed in everyday conversations. In myself and the ones around me.

First of all, how much of our daily conversations come from habit. We're so quick to shoot out a "how are you?" when passing someone when we're out and about. Or to quickly reply with "Good, how are you?" when asked how we are.

 Instead of taking the time with a genuine question or response. 

Secondly, how cruel our words can be. How much we tear one another down. We talk so much, that sometimes we don't even pay attention to just what we're saying or how it will come across. We so easily come back with hurtful words when something hurtful is said to us just to protect our own ego. Instead of realizing just how hurtful what we're saying really is. 

Now lastly, I've observed how easily we flow with negativity. The world is constantly throwing negativity at us and it's so easy to let it go and give in it to it. Complaining to someone about the tiny little mishaps that happened during our day, instead of being thankful for the simple fact that we're still alive. 

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I don't think we realize how important our words really are. They come so easily often without hardly any thought.

Something that takes us but a couple seconds to say/type, could, in those 5 seconds, be engraved in someone else's mind forever.

Looking back at my own life, I remember so many words that have been said to me. Kind ones, yes. But also many hurtful things said. Even though I've forgiven those words, they're still there. People don't just forget words. So why is it that we're so careless with our own?

Proverbs 18:21 (MSG) says "Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose."

Our words can give life. But yet we throw them around all the time like they're nothing at all. I love, love, LOVE the words to Toby Mac's song "Speak life" (Hence the title of the post) 

"We can turn a heart with the words we say

Mountains crumble with every syllable

Hope can live or die

...Spread the love like fire,

Hope will fall like rain, when you speak life with the words you say

So speak life"

So I have three challenges for you. 

1. Be Genuine. 

Try and erase all the routine small talk from your mind. When someone asks you how you are, tell them. Be honest. Whoever you come in contact with, be genuinely interested in them. Start a conversation with your cashier, talk to your neighbor outside, call your old friends; gosh, just talk to people. 

Genuinely care about the lives of others. Don't always be in a hurry. Stop, talk, and be genuine. A few small words of kindness could spark something much, much bigger.   

2. Build Up.

Pay attention to the hurtful things you're saying to someone or about others to someone else. Learn to only build up. Ephesians 4:29 says to not let any unwholesome talk come out of our mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up. 

•Only what is helpful for building others up•

Compliment people, remind them of how much they mean to you every chance you get, tell them how much you love them.  

3. Say No To Negativity.

No matter what the world throws at you, say no to the negativity. (Keep choosing joy!) 

Whatever it is, choose to rise above it. When people try to bring negativity into the conversation, or you're tempted to yourself, say no. Talk about the positive things that happened today. As I mentioned in a previous post, there is always something to be happy about. 

Your words are so very, very important. Every single one of them. You never know when the words you say to someone could be the last words they ever hear from you. Make them good ones. 

I hope you choose to speak life today. =)