Speak Life

When was the last day you went the entire day without speaking? Highly unlikely, unless you were attending a silent retreat in a remote hill country cabin. Speaking is just a part of our everyday life.  Interesting factoid: Did you know that a woman uses about 20,000 words per day while a man uses about 7,000? (Dr.Louann Brizendine, The Female Brain)

It’s no surprise that women far surpass men on the number of words spoken daily.  Yet, I’m not so sure it’s a statistic that I’m proud of as a woman. The problem is that the more words we speak, the more temptation to speak without thinking.  The bigger the opportunity to insert foot in mouth.  The more potential to hurt or wound others with our words.  Yes, our words matter.  Do they speak life or death?

I never really thought about Toby Mac’s “Speak Life” lyrics until the other day:  "Some days the tongue gets twisted, Other days my thoughts just fall apart, I do, I don’t, I will, I won’t, It’s like I’m drowning in the deep. Well it’s crazy to imagine, Words from our lips as the arms of compassion, Mountains crumble with every syllable, Hope can live or die."  

So often our words flow out before we even consider what we’re saying and how we’re saying it.  We may hurt someone and not even know it!  The recipient might act like everything is OK but deep down they’re hurt by our words.  The power of the tongue is great.  The song goes on…."Lift your head a little higher, Spread the love like fire, Hope will fall like rain,When you speak life with the words you say.  Raise your thoughts a little higher, Use your words to inspire, Joy will fall like rain, When you speak life with the things you say."

How can you speak life with the words you say?  Will your words inspire others today?  "Believe the best about people. Pray for their shortcomings.  You are not the standard.  We all need grace." (LaCrae) Speak life today.

"The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." Proverbs 18:21

"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Proverbs 15:1

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.