Lion Heart ENCOURAGE – Word Power

Introduction:

You've certainly personally experienced the healing or harming power of words. So have I.

Words have incredible power to build up or to tear down our emotional state. As Husbands and Fathers, this is especially true. Our words set the tone of our home. Our words create the fertile soil for a good marriage to grow from.

Encouragement:

Paul teaches us in Ephesians 4:29 that our words will impart grace to those who hear them.

That's a powerful thought isn't it?

Grace is simply giving people what they do not deserve. Think about a time when you did not display grace with your words. How do you think it made the person to whom you said them feel? What could you do to make it right? How could you improve what comes out of your mouth in the future?

Conversely, in Ephesians 4:29, Paul uses the word corrupt when he references what type of words that should not come out of our mouth. Corrupt means the process of “decay”.

In other words, Paul is admonishing believers not to allow anything rotten, putrefied, worn out, bad, poor quality, or worthless to come out of our mouths. Has there ever been a time when corrupt words have come out of your mouth? If so, what was the result?

In the book, The Blessing, John Trent and Gary Smalley tell a powerful story:

"Diane’s parents had tried unsuccessfully for years to have children. Perhaps that is one reason why their joy was unbounded when they learned that they were expecting their first child. Everything seemed normal during the pregnancy and delivery, until they saw the doctor’s reaction. When Diane was given to them for the first time they saw that her left arm had never developed below the elbow. There were tears in the delivery room and deep concern as test after test was performed on Diane. As doctors and specialists sought to determine the extent of her physical problems, Diane’s parents did not know how they should handle the anxious questions from relatives and friends. Two days later, the doctors told Diane’s parents some encouraging news. In all their tests, they had not picked up any other signs of medical or physical problems. Diane appeared to be a normal, healthy baby girl, with the exception of her left arm. After the doctors had gone, Diane’s parents bowed together in prayer. They thanked God that their daughter had no other serious problems. However, they prayed something else that proved to be of tremendous benefit to their daughter. In that hospital room, with Diane nestled in her mother’s arms, her parents prayed that their love for her would make up for any lack of physical abilities she possessed. They decided that morning that they would encourage Diane to become all that God would have her be, in spite of the problems they and Diane would have to face along the way.

Years have gone by since Diane’s parents prayed for her in that hospital room. In fact, Diane is 19 now and attending a major university. However, something special about Diane draws your attention away from her empty sleeve, particularly when you listen to her play a beautiful melody on the piano- with only one hand. Diane has had to deal with tremendous obstacles in her 19 years. The stares, giggles, and tactless questions of her peers in grade school. She has dealt with the fears and uncomfortable feelings of whether to go to a dance in junior high. The questions and worry that perhaps she would never date in high school, just to name a few. On the other hand, throughout the real-life struggles of being born handicapped, Diane received a precious and powerful gift from her parents – the security of knowing she was highly valued and unconditionally accepted. Diane said, “My parents didn’t try to hide from me the fact that I was different.” They have been very realistic with me. But I always knew, and they have told me over and over, that “I am their greatest claim to fame. Whether I was trying out for softball or my dad was teaching me how to drive, they have been my biggest fans. They have prayed for me and thought the best, even when I’ve pouted and got angry at God because of my handicap. Without a question, my parents deserve a lot of credit for helping me accomplish that things I have.”

Let's season our words with Grace brothers. But I leave you with this parting thought, how can we give Grace if we haven't yet truly received it?

Bless you brothers, and let’s endeavour, as always, to know and worship God more deeply.

Sincerely,

Stanley

(Human author., in my own words)