Happy mid-October! Can you believe we’re in the last quarter of 2015 already? It doesn’t seem possible, yet here we are. And for those like me who usually make gifts for Christmas…mid-October also means only about 10 weeks left to make those gifts! Time to get crafting…
Onto today’s devotional thought…
“According to the Bible, the power of life and death
is in the tongue,
and we often have to eat our words.
I wonder how many times in our lives we say,
‘I’m afraid…’
‘I’m afraid I’ll get the flu that ‘s going around.’
‘With the way the prices are going up,
I’m afraid I won’t have enough money.’
‘I’m afraid if I don’t go the party,
people will think badly of me.’
If we heard a recording of every time in our lives
we have said, ‘I’m afraid,’
we would probably be amazed that our lives are going
as well as they are.
If we really understood the power of words,
I think we would change the way we talk.
Our talk should be confident and bold, not fearful.
Fearful talk not only affects us in adverse ways,
but it affects those around us.
Don’t underestimate the power of words.
Pray: Lord, show me the ways I need to change
the way I talk.
Help me to break the bad habits I’ve adopted
and the negative words I repeat over and over.
Amen.”
–Joyce Meyer in “The Confident Woman Devotional”
~~*~~
My reflections:
I’ve never believed the old adage that says, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” It has been my unfortunate experience that hurtful words spoken many years ago still affect me today on occasion, when something happens to trigger memories involving those hurtful words.
I also have my regrets about words I’ve spoken in haste many years ago, without contemplating their impact, that hurt other people and have lingering effects in relationships even now.
Words are indeed powerful and we can choose to speak words that are harmful and hurtful, that tear others down, or choose words that are helpful and uplifting, that build others up. It’s a matter of thinking before we speak, and choosing our words carefully.
~~*~~
So what are YOUR thoughts?
Can you relate to the quotes and the devotional for today? Can you clearly remember words said to you – or that you said to others – that were hurtful and had a detrimental effect on you or others?
Jenn Alex Brockman
15 Oct 2015Glad to see you back! Words can be quite hurtful, but I also think a person can separate them from self.
What someone else says is about them, not you. When someone says it to be hurtful on purpose, I suppose that might be different, but I think it still says more about them than it does about you.
What do you usually make for gifts? I’ve not done any buying or making yet and I’m starting to freak out a little.
Jenn Alex Brockman recently posted..Ugly Low Carb Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole
tara pittman
15 Oct 2015Words hurt more sometimes. I was a chunky kid so I know about hurtful words.about
tara pittman recently posted..Blogger Opp ~ Puritan’s Pride Halloween “Snack Swap” Giveaway ~ Sign Ups Close 10/18
dana vento
15 Oct 2015I have issues with words as well. Words can cut like a knife
dana vento recently posted..THE GOOD DINOSAUR
Karlyn Cruz
16 Oct 2015It is so easy to say whatever I’m thinking before giving it any thought. These are great words to live by.
Kebba Buckley Button
16 Oct 2015K-Lee, I’m totally with you on this. Words have energy, and energy has power. Joyce Meyer is one of my favorite teachers–I volunteer for her every year when she is in Phoenix. Truly, the power of life and death is in the tongue. So we need to enLIVEn ourselves by choosing our words carefully. Btw, I’m greatly enjoying the pillow you sent. Blessings! –Kebba
Kebba Buckley Button
16 Oct 2015K-Lee, I did NOT post anything ever in or about Versatile Themes for Online Magazines. I just saw that had intruded into the end of my post.
rika
16 Oct 2015Words are so powerful and could hurt people.
rika recently posted..Get the Look: ’70s-Inspired Fashion Trend for Fall 2015 #ShopswellTrends
Mike Gardner
16 Oct 2015Hi Karen, many people fail to realise the power that their words can have on others either in a positve or negative way. A few positive words at the right time can lift someone in the same way that a few negative words at the wrong time can destroy someone
Mike Gardner recently posted..8 Simple Tips to Supercharge Your Productivity
Erika
16 Oct 2015I’ve been trying to be more positive lately with others and it’s making me happier for it.
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victoria
16 Oct 2015Words are really powerful. and i have a issue in that i always say what i want i never think before i talk
Rachel Mouton
16 Oct 2015I love these! What a great reminder of the power of words 🙂
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Francene Stanley
16 Oct 2015So true. Words can really hurt people and have a long-standing impact. Unfortunately, we can’t change the past. What we can do is make sure we speak well today. I hope I do.
Elizabeth O.
16 Oct 2015I agree. Especially if it’s spoken to people who love you or value your opinion. The impact is so heartfelt.
Robin Rue (@massholemommy)
16 Oct 2015Same with me, I remember hurtful words from the past and sometimes they still haunt me.
Claudette
16 Oct 2015Awesome reminder – words powered by emotions are indeed powerful.
Claudette recently posted..Dog, Not Diamond Is Her Best Friend
Mykidsguide
16 Oct 2015Yes, I can relate. Words are very powerful. When you want to hurt someone, you speak words that can slice through one’s heart. When you want to encourage someone, you speak uplifting words to help him give his best. Sometimes, I am guilty of not thinking before saying the words, but I am also trying my best to avoid doing so. I try to choose the words before opening my mouth.
Shaylee @ Data Nerds
16 Oct 2015This is a wonderful post. We have to be very careful about what we say as we are never sure how the other person may interpret it.
Shaylee @ Data Nerds recently posted..3 Tips to Make Your Social Media Strategy a Little Less Scary
Chanelle
16 Oct 2015I am a believer that words are very powerful and have the power to control the direction of your life.
Chanelle recently posted..Easy Pumpkin Nut Butter Waffles
Anne Louise Bannon
16 Oct 2015Oh, boy, do I know the power of words to hurt! And I’m afraid I’ve uttered more than my share of them. May God forgive me, and help me to put a brake on my tongue!
Anne Louise Bannon recently posted..From the Dark Side of the Fridge: Salad Basics II
Shann Eva
16 Oct 2015I think words can be much more powerful and hurtful than actions. They can also be much more helpful.
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Shannon Seek
16 Oct 2015Ah, words!!! How we talk to our selves is a huge part of this. They say if you eat alone a lot to still practice good manners….Same goes for how we speak to ourselves….That is what I am clued into big time here. Thank you, Karen Lee Banks!
Julia
17 Oct 2015You are right. Words are powerful things. They can lift you up or tear you down. And the can never be taken back so we need to be wise with what we allow to leave our mouths.
Julia recently posted..Confessions of a Bookaholic
Ashley
17 Oct 2015Words hold so much power, and are used for good and bad. I’m struggling with this right now, as I work through some old issues with my hubby. Trying to watch the words I speak very carefully!
Angie Scheie
17 Oct 2015This is great! The tongue really is one of the hardest things to control. I think it’s in James, but that word fragrance. Are my words a fragrance or a poison to people? I try to visualize it before they come out if I’m being intentional enough.
Angie Scheie recently posted..The One Personality Trait I Can’t Live Without (#52WeeksA4A)
Anna C.
18 Oct 2015Words can hurt so much! I was bullied at school and although there were times where I was physically bullied, the verbal bullying was the worst for me…
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Krystal
21 Oct 2015It’s crazy how fast this year has gone by. I was checking my calendar the other day ago and say that we only have a couple months left of 2015.
I can clearly remember words said to me or others. I remember things said to me even years ago.
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