I have been learning a lot lately about words and why the words that I speak affect not only myself, but those around me. I think it is easy to get caught up in feelings and emotions and not actually realize that how we feel should not determine what we say. I am a talker, always have been and always will. I am also a deep feeler and that is how God made me and those are actually gifts not burdens. I have realized over the years that feelings are not wrong, it is how you react to them that matters. All feel and all have a choice on how we deal with those feelings.
God has been showing me that the words I say have a huge impact on my life and those around me. I know that if I want to live a good, fulfilled; life, I must show that in the words I speak out loud. It isn't fun when you are around someone always complaining, gossiping or pointing out faults in others, but just because you are with them does not mean you must enter in and do the same. Words are powerful and have the ability to bless or curse- you decide. I want my heart to be full of life, joy and peace. I do not want a heart full of hurt, bitterness or resentment, of course those feelings will arise (we are human), but I am discovering that the more I seek peace, the more I find it. As Psalm 34:14 says, Seek peace and pursue it.
It is easy to see what state someone is in by what they say. An insecure person will put others down, an angry person may lash out, but when you know who you are and accept the fact that the one who created you is the very one who absolutely adores you. You begin to learn this wonderful behavior called self-control and that means controlling the words you speak, the thoughts you think, the actions you make. I want my mind clear of negative, dark and unfulfilling thoughts. Those do not come from the God who loves me and I want my mouth to be full of life-giving words. Luke 6:45 says this:
For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Just as negative thoughts affect your life.
The words you speak do as well.
Think well, speak well, live well.