Words

I wait for the Lord , my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. Psalm 130:5 NIV

When I read this verse yesterday, as I do most mornings I pondered about how it might apply to my day. And as it usually goes God showed me.

Words. We use them every day. To talk. To text. To sell. To buy. To make. To love. To hate. To say hello. To say goodbye. Words have power. And when the words we use are contrary to God's message, people have no hope in which to rest. When we use words to tear others down, it invites Satan to take over our thoughts and actions, leading us away from God's promises.

The power of life and death are in the tongue. It is a two-edged sword capable of cutting people to their very core. A parent can do irreparable harm to their child through words of disdain and criticism. An employer can dessicate their staff through a constant barrage of hateful words and disrespect. A captain can lead their team to ruin with yelling and cursing.

Your world runs on words. Your daily life depends on the written and spoken word, in many forms, to convey ideas and move people forward. It is heartbreaking when we see people using their words not for good but to sow hatred, fear and divisiveness. I am heartbroken as I feel God is as he watches these people he loves treat each other this way. It's not unlike a parent watching siblings fight.

Our Constitution guarantees us the right to free speech, to use our words however and whenever we want to. But just because we can doesn't mean we should. And if we must criticise, if we must speak out against a wrong, let it be done with love. Come with a solution. Come with an open mind.

I love words. I'm an English major because of my love for words, especially the written word. Every writer's aim is to convey emotions and ideals through their words. Sometimes we fall flat. Other times we hit our mark, and we should always strive for that mark to be a positive one. It's important for others to hear love and unconditional acceptance.

God's words are so powerful and so true that we can put our hope in His word alone. That's how we should use our words. We should use them to give hope and love to others. Speak life. Speak love. And above all else, seek God's words first.