Make Your Words Count

In the last month, I or my direct family members experienced three deaths. You can read about it in my blog post here. With death all around, you never know when your last words to a friend or family member may actually be your last. It might sound depressing, but it's the truth. This is why I try to always end conversations with my closest friends with "I Love You." I don't say things if I don't mean it, but I don't want the people in my life to not know that they were appreciated, loved, respected, and cared for deeply.

So make your words count.

A member of my Community Group used this phrase one time in group..."life-giving words." I liked the way she put it. Don't let a moment pass you by or an opportunity pass you by when you can breath life-giving words into someone. Build them up, encourage them, compliment them. Speak words of prophecy into them. Share a small compliment with them, or tell them what they mean to you. People are too important, time is too short.

Don't waste your words on filthy language, sarcasm, or anything that cuts people down or hurts them.

The Bible says this: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29

So cursing, don't use it. What is it's purpose? It says right there, no "unwholesome talk." Sarcasm? This one was a hard one for me. I like to be funny using sarcasm, but I have been challenged in my faith walk over the last couple years that I need to watch how I use sarcasm. Usually sarcasm is being funny at the expense of someone else. Your sarcastic comment will a majority of the time pick on somebody else and cut them down "in a funny way." Well, if you take away the few laughs, what are you left with? Simply a discouraging or negative comment. Why not use that same breath that was used for sarcasm to build somebody up or encourage them directly? It's powerful and I promise it will truly affect the people you interact with for the better.

So think about what you say before you say it. Be purposeful. Tell people the good you see in them. Encourage them. Speak life-giving words. Make your words count!