I’ve always loved words.
Writing and literature were my favorite subjects. Grammar genuinely excites me. When we learned how to diagram sentences in elementary school, I thought we were learning a fun new game. Word play and puns are the source of 90% of my jokes. I find comfort in the structure of language, but also in the creative freedom. Words on a page can be orderly and uniform, like in a newspaper column. Or they can be arranged in such a way that
just
highlights
one
thought.
Words can be woven into poetry or story or song. Words can send crucial messages, save lives, alert us to danger. Words can start a relationship and end one. Words can build trust or lose trust. Words can instruct or deceive.
God’s words in particular wield immense power.
His very thought of a word can shape something into existence out of nothing. His words create galaxies, neurons, genetics, oceans, fire, plague, rainbows, life itself. His words raise the dead. His words send evil trembling in fear. His words draw the seeking heart to His arms.
We are created in the image of God. As His image-bearers, we possess qualities like His. We too have immense power in our words. Not power to create something out of nothing, but power to build up, to encourage, to bring life. Unlike God, however, the potential for wickedness also lies in our words.
Our words can send a little child into spirals of shame in a split second over something as trivial as spilled milk. Our words can tear apart a church simply by whispering words of gossip, slander, or grumbling. Our words can lie to our spouses. Our words, more than any other weapon, can bring absolute death and destruction.
Words
have
power.
There is a Proverb that shares a similar sentiment. It is found in chapter 18, verse 21.
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”
I have certainly experienced someone speaking death over me, where I am left feeling worthless, hopeless, and afraid. On the flip side, I have had so many moments of life spoken over me, when someone shares the truth of who I am in Christ and who He is for me. Words of life can pull us out of the pit of hopelessness.
Something I’ve been thinking about lately, though, are the words that aren’t necessarily spoken out loud to me. There are words streaming through my mind all day, every day. Amongst the grocery lists and questions and song lyrics from twenty years ago there is occasionally a phrase that passes through seemingly unprompted.
“You’re so lazy.”
“When will you get this right?’
“Your emotions are way too much for other people.”
“You’ve failed them.”
“If you did more, they wouldn’t have left the church.”
“You’re just like your dad.”
“Someone else could do this better.”
With these little one-liners that blip through my mind, there comes a creeping feeling of anxiety from right below my belly-button. It snakes and slithers up my stomach and wraps tightly around my ribs. My throat tightens and burns with reflux. And it’s from that posture that I allow myself to continue throughout my day. My answers to my children become shorter and harsher. The texts on my phone go unanswered out of fear of getting it wrong. The calls I need to make about the dentist or the guitar lessons or the medications get avoided because it feels like way too much to even dial the number.
The anxiety expands and I shrink away thinking if I don’t do anything, at least I won’t do it wrong.
Words
have
power.
I don’t know where those toxic little phrases came from in the first place. But I do know I fear the truth in the words. And I also know when I let those words go unattended, they get bigger and louder and more frequent.
How then do we fight back?
How do we unwind the snake of anxiety from our belly?
How do we silence the accusations?
We can’t simply erase the words in our brains, we must replace them with something else. We fight back with words. Or should I say, Words. God’s Words.
Of course His very Word, Scripture is the first place to turn. But there are also biblical principles I have found helpful to write down and repeat, literally out loud in my kitchen to myself like a weirdo. Truths such as:
You are a daughter of the King. Holy, beloved, treasured by Him.
You have a Father who loves you and will pursue you to the ends of the earth.
His power is made perfect in your weaknesses.
You serve an audience of One.
Your purpose is simply to know God and make Him known.
Simplifying those Truths in my own words has given me power over the lies I’m tempted to lean into when life feels overwhelming. Words are our weapons. The name of Jesus alone causes demons to run and flee.
What words do you find passing unchecked through your mind during the day?
Are they true?
Are they kind?
Are they death, or are they life?
Don’t passively accept thoughts that don’t sound like something Jesus would say to you. Take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5) and replace the accusations with Truth. I’ll say it one more time, words have power. As we focus on the theme of “The Word” in this season, may we access that power for the glory of God and the good of those around us.
Grace and peace.
