Words can be used as weapons or to uplift and inspire

Spoken words can and do affect our lives.

My awareness of the impact that spoken words can have upon a person is vivid and real because I come from an abusive childhood. Because of this experiences, God has enabled me to have empathy for those who are or have walked through the same situation in their lives. That empathy brings with it the knowledge and understanding necessary to help minister to the needs of those who are led to come across my path.

I am not alone, for there are those who are now reading this article who have been hurt, abused and neglected, yet have risen to great heights of faith despite all odds. That is your testimony, and a contributing factor to who you are as an individual. You are someone who has endured the internal turmoil, misunderstanding and anger, accompanied by pain yet one willing to accept the healing of a merciful and gracious God.

As recipients of his grace, we are equipped to work through obstacles and forgive those who have caused our hurt. The very situations in our lives that caused destruction can prove to be valuable tools that can be used to help others as we continue to grow spiritually and emotionally. What may have been meant for evil in our lives is now turned for good on our behalf, because God is for us, so who can stand against us?

Forgiveness is a powerful weapon in our Christian faith. However, it is one of the most difficult to accomplish. Words are just as powerful. Those verbal expressions from our heart will either be good, or evil. It is those very words that can impact and affect each recipient for a lifetime.

Proverbs 18:21 reads, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Knowing this, the choice is ours. To choose to speak life or positively to others, and ourselves, our families, and over circumstances will release the blessings that abound. Those exhorting words spoken are seeds planted in fertile ground and will bring forth good fruit and blessings. To do otherwise, or to speak negatively, will produce the same.

Some have been the object of angry, hurtful or critical words. Those cutting words, as bullets hitting a target, have impacted our lives to this very day. Long after the person spoke, and forgot what was said those same words echo in our hearts over and over again. The words spoken in a moment are responsible for wounds that last for years. Once they are said, the damage is done. For us, this can be where we choose to stay emotionally or we can make the choice to come out of it. For sure, we are not alone in the battle, because the battle is the Lord’s and he will cause us to triumph and walk in the freedom of forgiveness, when we ask and rely upon him for his help.

The Bible says that the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy, but Jesus came to give us life and that more abundantly. There are thoughts and memories that become reminders of past hurts that steal our peace of mind and can cause us to feel bad about ourselves. These wounds often are the hidden “person” we live with daily.

Asking the Lord to heal those areas will free us to enjoy life as the Lord has promised. In Proverbs 6:31 Scripture reads, “A thief when he is found out must repay sevenfold.” Whatever has been lost to us over the years can and will be restored. Our God is the God of restoration.

The Hebrew root of the word restore is “to be safe in mind, body and state, to reciprocate, to make to be at peace with something or someone, to finish.” What an awesome definition. A safe place from the mental torment of vicious words spoken is available to us through the Lord Jesus Christ. We can have peace and freedom in our hearts and minds, once and for all.

Isaiah 53:5 says, “He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him and by His wounds we are healed.” The peace of God is such a wonderful promise. That peace is available through the finished work of the Lord on the cross. Remember, Christ said, “It is finished.” Our peace of mind, confidence, God given gifts and talents must be returned sevenfold. More than what was stolen is returned. Why? Because God demands return with interest given to his children.

Finally, Jesus said, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” To know truth is to know the Lord. It is to believe God at his word. Let’s apply this truth, through these written words and scripture to our life today. Be free and experience the peace of God, in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

XPatty Scahill of Austintown, who is a conference speaker, author and hospice chaplain, attends Christian Life Church in Canfield.