I’m writing this blog post with a grimace on my face because I did one of those “Insanity” workout videos for the first time. Because apparently I’m insane. Because now I can barely walk. Because I have muscles in places that I didn’t know muscles existed and every last one of them is begging me for high doses of Ibuprofen. Woe is me with my first-world problems.
But as I’ve sat in all my soreness, I’ve prayed for you and for what God would have me say today. Because only He can takes words from a screen and graciously use them to minister to souls.
W o r d s .
I remember when God first told me — not audibly or I would have freaked — what He was leading me to do. I remember writing it down 13 years ago in my little journal with complete conviction, “You’re calling me to speak and write. What You say to me in the closet You want me to declare on the rooftops!” This prodigal girl turned seminary student, graced with forgiveness…and words.
Words hold such power. With them we can lift the downcast and stir up faith in the sullen. We can praise this unbelievably glorious God and pour life into those running the faith race with us. Or, devastatingly, we can poison the soul of another, encourage fear, and drag people in condemnation’s dirt.
W o r d s .
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruits.”
Proverbs 18:21
I’ve always heard it said that the closer we get to God the more depraved we see ourselves to be. Because He’s so glorious, and in His light we see more and more of our need for grace. And I think that’s an absolutely true assessment.
But I also think that parenting performs a similar task — revealing our need for grace. Lord, help me. We as parents have such deep, innate love for our children and we want them to live the blessed life. So our natural tendency is to try to control what they do because we want to help. And in that control, we have lots of emotion and out of that emotion we say lots of things. Lots of things. I get tired of talking.
But God has me wrestling with my words — in parenting and with everyone else on the planet, for that matter. He has me grappling with what words are truly helpful and what words are a reflection of me trying to control…everything, ultimately out of fear. Another post for another day.
The other morning in my journal I ended with “Lord God, put a guard over my lips!” Because I don’t want my words to be what hinders someone’s freedom. I want my words to bring life.
So as a mom, especially when I want to say things to reiterate poor choices and why those choices were so depraved, God is challenging me to speak life words, grace words.
When my boy does the same thing I’ve asked him not to do for the 83rd time that day after being disciplined 83 times that day — just like I disobey God — I’m tempted to say some…things. And sometimes I do say some “things”. But I’m learning what it means to speak life with the driving hope that life words, dripping with grace, bring the greatest change.
“The fruits of grace are always in the future.”
Tullian Tchividjian in One Way Love
“Son, you are precious — crafted by God. He has plans specifically for you. And He absolutely loves you. And so do I. And in spite of our many weaknesses and many failures, God sent Jesus to take the punishment we deserve. It’s because of Him that you and I are forgiven. It’s because of Him that we don’t have to control everyone and everything on the planet. We can trust Him to be faithful. We can depend on Him to fight our battles and lead the way. So let’s talk about how you can depend on Him when you feel like you want to (hit/kick/destroy/push/fight/mouth-off/etc).”
Words have power. With them we can pour out grace or we can spew condemnation. With them we can demolish fears or we can bind others with chains.
And when we fail to speak words marked with grace and truth — which we will later today — God speaks words marked with grace and truth over us. A priceless gift.
Fill me, Lord…
How have you experienced the power of words in your life?
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I’m reading a book right now titled “War of Words” by Paul David Tripp. Very good! Tripp says, “In creating us with the ability to talk, God has not only set us apart from the rest of creation, but he has determined the nature of our lives and relationship.” (p13). Simple, but true. Where I am now (still at the beginning ;), he’s begun to show that words “define, explain, and interpret” (p14).
But, really, so much of our day is marked with conversation -whether with our immediate family or the outside world, written or spoken. We always have a choice in how we communicate, although we don’t always stop and make it the right one!