And, did you also know that we possess the ability to tear down others, one piece at a time, until they no longer believe in themselves. At this point, it is rare that you will find anyone else who believes in them either. Our words can do this also, and I'm quite ashamed to say that they do so much too often.
Just last weekend, my nephew (who I don't get to see very often), was at my house. Knowing that he hangs with a pretty rough crowd for a twelve year old, I made a point of spending some quality time with him. In the course of our conversation, I learned that he was having a lot of trouble at school. I also learned that he was very unmotivated and bored with school. I really wanted to encourage him, so I asked him what may have seemed like an odd (and off topic) question. I said, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Without even thinking much about the question, he said, "I don't know". The next few minutes were like trying to get a puppy to come to you for the first time. "Come on." "You can do it." "It's okay." While these would have been great words to coax the puppy, I had to coax a little differently even though the thoughts in my head were the same.
Finally, with a big smile on his face, my nephew said, "I want to be an astronaut". His comment was quickly followed by saying, "but I'm never gonna be" while he dropped his head. "Ouch", I thought to myself. What would have happened to this poor kid that his dreams had all been shattered by the age of twelve?
The answer? Hard life? Harsh words? I really don't know for sure, but I do know how to start turning it around… words of encouragement.
So I said things like, "why not?", "whose going to stop you?" and ""that's an amazing goal, I think you should go for it". As I allowed, no encouraged, him to dream big I saw his countenance change. He went from introvert to extrovert. From discouraged to encouraged. From hating school to seeing it as a vehicle to help him reach his dreams. All accomplished with words. Beautiful, powerful words.
Proverbs 12: 18 says it well, "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing".
How will you use your words today? They have the ability to change someone's life… for better or for worse.
