By Mark Maher
“You will continue to suffer if you have an emotional reaction to everything that is said to you. True power is sitting back and observing things. True power is RESTRAINT. If words control you that means everyone else can control you. Breathe and allow things to pass.” Warren Buffett
One of the greatest struggles is the refraining from speaking judgment, criticism and complaining. It’s easy to do, it’s prevalent in our society, but it’s not helpful in the sanctification process and growing in your faith and helping (loving) other people. Complaining runs counter to loving/trusting God.
As Christians were called to speak life into other peoples lives, so I challenge you the next time you hear people judging or complaining or gossiping see if you can run counter to that and speak some life into the situation and watch the atmosphere in the room change for the better and perhaps you can lift someone up in the process.
Nothing feels better than talking someone up as opposed to putting them down. It’s the after effect, the afterwards, that we regret the gossip, it’s not nurturing to the soul. “A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it!” (James 3:5).
In this world, you will have a lot of opportunities to practice restraint. And it’s not always natural, and it requires God’s wisdom, and that’s what makes it a worthy endeavor. “Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint. (Proverbs 29:18) You must pre-decide how you’ll respond in all situations. Make it your mission to speak life into everyone you meet, give them ungodly confidence as “our words hold the power of life and death.” (Proverbs 18:21) and I don’t know about you, but I want to give people hope and life.
Speak life and hope as “hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life” (Proverbs 13:12) Change your words, it will change your life.
When you’re around people, strive to make them feel a little bit better, be kind, be Grace filled. “They will know you by your love.” (John 13:35) If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Mark 5:46-46)
Proverbs 10:11 says that “the mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life.” Harness your words, practice, practice, practice. With God’s help and through lots of prayer and God time commit to restraint and speaking life. Our words can affect the emotional and spiritual health of someone we care about.
The words we say are important because they expose the condition of our hearts. Ephesians 4:29 sets the highest standard, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up.”
What you verbalize will strongly influence your heart. “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Matthew 15:18) Go change the world one conversation at a time.
