For years we have taught in ministry that it takes 10 positive statements to overcome and restore a child’s spirit for every negative statement said to them. I remember times when my kids were most frustrating, in the car on a long trip for example, realizing I needed to spend a lot of time on only positive encouraging statements to fix what I felt like was a whole lot of rebukes and correction. Solomon spends a good portion of this chapter in Proverbs on the power of words. I especially appreciate the focus on the healing and restorative power words can have through both proper instruction and correction as well as encouragement and affirmation. We learned the old “sticks and stones” saying wasn’t true. Words, especially repeated words, hold great power over the human spirit. God’s words and the words that God’s people speak can and should bring life. Today, as Toby Mac says, “speak life” and watch it change your world as well as those around you. #BeTheEdge
“Who has helped you utter these words? And whose spirit spoke from your mouth?” Job 26:4 NIV
