Journey Into Freedom

Words.  They are my point of refuge.  The place that I can get lost and meander, dream and envision, problem-solve and vision-cast.  The place that life begins to make sense.  For some, that place is found in music.  For others, it is found in art.  Some even find that point in working on a special project, in building something, or in their career.  In my life, I have experienced a level of satisfaction in each of those, and I can understand what makes others find their “zen” with each one.  For me, above all else, it is words.

Our Creator Himself used words to create this world that we enjoy.  The power of creation was primarily in …Words.  (Genesis 1-2) The Bible tells us also that the tongue holds the power of life and death (Proverbs 18:21).  Again, …Words.

With my words, I must be responsible.  Words hold such power that one must speak positively.  Some say that the universe returns to you what you put into it.  On some level, I tend to agree.  But, I would say more so that like attracts like.  The Bible tells us we reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7), and I want to sow positive things into my life and into the lives of those around me with my words.

When speaking positively, I must also be honest.  Let’s be real for a minute, okay?  Some situations have little to no positive aspects about which to even speak.  In those cases, one is wise to speak as little as possible.  We have to handle life’s problems as they arise in all of our lives, but that doesn’t mean we have to constantly cloud our mental space with them.

Philippians 4:8 (AKJV) tells us the recipe for success with this:

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things

are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

We have all heard the saying, “What goes in must come out.”  I contend that this is exactly why the Bible gives us this pattern for successful thought.  If I obey this scripture, the power of my words will enrich and encourage both those around me and myself.

What are you doing with your words today?  Do they just get you through the day, or do you use them intentionally to put the very best that you can into each situation you face?  They do hold so much power!  I know personally, the more I practice these habits, the more I see them affecting good changes in my life.  And, ironically enough, it isn’t the things AROUND me changing.  It’s ME.  My words change ME.  If I tell myself at the beginning of a project all the things that will potentially go wrong with it, I believe myself.  I expect failure, because that’s what my self-talk told me to believe.  Conversely, if I boost my own confidence at the beginning of something, if I obey the principles set forth in the Bible, I will dwell on the potential beneficial outcomes instead.  I believe myself there too!  Furthermore, the more I practice this with myself, the more my heart is willing to believe the encouraging messages!  This, in turn, empowers me to be more encouraging to those around me.  The ripple effect is unending.  And it all starts with …Words.