Last night I was once again reminded of the power of our words – that they either have the power to produce life or the power to produce death.

During my daughter’s soccer practice one of my son’s happened to get engaged in a conversation with one of the players grandmother.  She was a sweet lady who had my son going with the words that she used.  She was building him up with words like, “there’s nothing you will not be able to do, you are going to run in the Olympics, you are an engineer, you will be someone who creates paths for others to follow, you are brilliant and a leader.”  By the time we left that practice field, I’m sure he was convinced that anything was possible.

Proverbs 18:21 says that death and life are in the power of the tongue.  It’s amazing the affect our words have on people when we build them up with positive affirmation.  In a world where tearing down with words seems to be the norm – I believe that we can choose to be different.  Like this grandma, we can choose to build and inspire with our words…even when we are pushed .

Do you find yourself struggling to get a grasp of how you talk to others?  Do you want to build and not be destructive in how you talk?  Be encouraged, you can!  Begin by asking Jesus to change your heart.  And then put to practice the art of being purposeful in what you say by using words that release life and build people.  Looking for a great place to start?  Start at home with the people you are closest to and watch the difference it will make not only in your life, but in the lives of others.