“Speak Life”.
Such simple words, yet it’s something that many of us find so hard to do.
How different would the trajectory of your life be if someone chose to speak life instead of death during a critical time of your life?
We should strive to build each other up rather than tear each other down. Encourage rather than discourage. Instill hope rather than despair.
We’ve all heard the childhood saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” The problem with this saying is that it’s simply not true. Words have power. Proverbs 18:21 says,
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words.”
When I was young and impressionable, I didn’t always make the best choices. Can any of us say that we’ve always made the absolute best choices? Can any of us say that we never make a mistake? No. “…since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God.” – Romans 3:23. We have all fallen short.
When we mess up, the words others speak over us matter. Even more than the words others speak, what God says matters.
At 17 yrs old, I was graduating high school while unmarried and pregnant. Many times, I would hear words and statements such as, “You’ve ruined your life.” Or, “Now you’ll never fulfill your dreams.” I was looked at as a disappointment, a failure, and someone unworthy of grace.
These words that others spoke over me made me feel ashamed, embarrassed, and lost. But God! God loved and cherished me despite my failures.
I have clung to Jesus over the past 15+ years in a way that I never had before, despite growing up in church. And by God’s grace and through His love, I have overcome.
Today, I am married to the father of all 3 of my sons.
I have a career and my husband has a career. We have made it through challenging times and circumstances with God by our side. You see, God doesn’t turn His back on you. He’s always there waiting for you to run to Him. Repentance isn’t just being sorry for your mistakes, but rather turning away and going in a different direction. Repentance can lead to life and joy.
It doesn’t matter what you’ve done or where you’ve been, Jesus will always accept you with open arms. He will always love you. He will always care for you. He will always want to bring healing and restoration. He is good, always.
Your past does not define you, Jesus defines you. Your past does not determine your future, Jesus does. Let Jesus lead, and then choose to follow Him. He will take you further than you ever thought possible.
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