"The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences." -Proverbs 18:21
No doubt someone has hurt you, offended you, betrayed you, or slandered you… it's time to stop the cycle. Don’t lower yourself to their level and become another “accuser.” Don’t allow the inner negative dialogue to suck you in to that dark place.
Forgive. Forgive yourself…It’s so difficult; especially when it keeps coming up; but we have to let it go… again, and again, if necessary.
There’s a God in heaven who sees and knows and will see you through. Stay the course.
So… how are you using your words?
Are you speaking life or death? We have a choice. I choose life. What do you choose?
Some of us had parents or adult role models in our life that screwed this up. They used their words to speak death and destruction over us.
Many people in therapy today are dealing with words spoken over them decades ago. Words have power. Words shape worlds. Inner negative dialogues can cause us to spiral into depression, make us suicidal, destroy dreams and so much more.
Identify the fact that it’s the enemy who whispers in the ear of regular people, like you and I, who are fearful, hurting, and confused about our own freedom and identity and convinces us to speak evil about others.
The unknowing participants are often the most “religious” among us, thinking they are doing “good" by pointing out "bad." It’s no surprise that gossip is one of this enemy’s most effect tools.
If words have the power to curse, keep down, and discourage, then they also have the power to build up, lift up, and inspire. Speak life.
You speak life when you use your words to make someone smile or to make yourself smile… or to help someone believe in themselves… or paint a picture for them of a better future.
Today, let’s be a little more slow to speak, and make sure we use our words to spark life in ourselves and those around us, living in the legacy of our Creator who spoke the world we know today into existence.
Stay out of your head, it can be a dark place. Living inside your head can be dangerous.
Learn to truly love yourself and those around you. Love conquerors all. When you remain in a state of love all those negative inner voices will evaporate.
"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment...We love because he first loved us." -1 John 4:18-19
Are you facing a complex issue right now? Are there decisions needing to be made, but the path isn’t totally clear yet? I’ve been there. And just recently, I’ve witnessed wrong decisions being made in a spirit of fear.
If you’re feeling anxious about the circumstances, ask yourself why? What am I telling myself about the situation? Are you afraid for your life? Your reputation? Your brand? Is it about money? The unknown?
Ask yourself, what am I telling myself in order to make me feel this way?
Turn the frequency knob and change the channel…Change the inner dialogue you are having with yourself.
Next, measure the fear that caused the inner dialogue… Is the fear connected to punishment? Guilt? Shame? Condemnation? Rejection?
There’s no condemnation because of Jesus. None. There’s one death, one resurrection, one salvation for humanity. It’s done… and it’s yours.
“Yeah, but there are still consequences.” Yep. Got it. And so be it.
There are consequences for every action. And the worst consequences might be reserved for fear-based decisions. So let’s get this right.
What “consequences” or outcomes are you afraid of?
Say them. List them.
Recognize this: There is no fear in love. As long as you’re viewing the situation through a lens of fear, you’re not going to act in love.
You might say you’re acting in some generic “love” but it’s a cover-up for self-protection…which is what it always comes down to with fear.
Let love drive out fear. Embrace ultimate and eternal peace because of Jesus. Because He first loved us!
You’re eternally secure, spiritually spoken for, and forever forgiven.
And if you’re doing your best to choose love over fear, don’t you think the God who holds all things together in His hands will honor you for it?
Chad Smanjak
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