Words have Power

This past month I have been learning SO much. It is hard to sum up everything. One of the biggest things I am learning is the power of words. Many times we don’t realize the impact our words have on people. We can say things jokingly but the person hearing them can take those things to heart. We have the ability to speak life or death into/over people.

This is something that AIM has told us since training camp but I haven’t fully understood it until this past month. My team and some others on the squad have been speaking life over me and encouraging me all month. (Some of them may not even realize that that is what they were doing). Living in this, the past month, has made me realize that things people said in the past have stuck with me and been things I have carried and believed about myself. Now, with things people have said, I am beginning to believe the truth and to walk in that.

When I was younger, people joked me that they forgot I was there because I was so quiet. I KNOW that they were joking and didn’t mean anything by it. Even though I knew this, I felt like I wouldn’t be missed if I weren’t there since it was like I wasn’t there anyway. I didn’t realize that this was something I had carried with me until we had team changes and one of my old teammates told me that they missed me a lot. It hit me then that I unconsciously was afraid that I was going to be replaced and my old team (most of which stayed together) wouldn’t miss me since I hadn’t talked with them a lot or really had deep conversations with them. So, when that was said, I was surprised. I am learning that I AM valued and am an important part of my squad no matter how much or little I talk.

Our words matter whether we think they do or not. We need to be intentional with what we are saying. I am learning that myself. I have the POWER to bring someone to life or to crush their spirit. My words carry weight. With life that my squad-mates are speaking into me, I am learning that because I don’t talk as much as most people that when I do what I say is valued and people will listen. Not only are they telling me this but I am beginning to see it. When people speak life over me it encourages me, gives me confidence, and helps me to step out/ speak out in boldness and allow God to work through me.

We can use our words to minister to others. This is important for those we are ministering to because they need to be encouraged. Not only do they need it but so do my teammates/squad-mates. We NEED each other. There are times that ministry can be tough and we need those people to speak life into us so we can keep going. If our teammates aren’t functioning, we won’t be effective in ministry to others. This journey that we are on is not just to the people we are serving but for what we are learning and what we can teach those around us in community.

Thank you to everyone that has encouraged me throughout my life. I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without you! Remember that your words are important and don’t be afraid to speak them…. someone may need to hear it.