Our words. Our choices. Our impact.

"Words are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity. We can choose to use this force constructively with words of encouragement, or destructively using words of despair. Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate and to humble."

I've noticed something lately.  We too often underestimate the power of our words.

How often do you read something on social media or listen to a group of people talking and there is more negative than positive, uplifting conversations? If I'm being honest, I'm tired of it.

When did impatience, judgment, assuming the worst and selfishness take over? When did wanting to prove that your opinion was the only right opinion become more important than trying to understand another person?

There is a difference between a discussion and a debate. Why must being right overrule the basic principle of understanding, kindness or love?

Now, if you know me you know I probably (OK, definitely) use Facebook a lot. Maybe too much. But it's defeating and exhausting to see so many people posting things on their timeline that have to do with starting a debate just to argue with people who don't share their same opinion, or to put someone down and to shame them in a public forum.

"Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." ~ Proverbs 12:18

What that says to me is you have two choices: You can cut like a sharp sword or you can bring healing. You can add to the darkness or become a light in the darkness.

To me, it seems like the choice is obvious. Everyday we have a choice. We can choose to uplift, encourage, share a smile or we can choose to put people down, debate things that don't really matter, be hateful and discouraging just for the sake of our egos.

I'm reading the book "Love Does" by Bob Goff. There are so many things I could share with you from this book. But the one thing that is relevant to this blog post is from the 12th chapter. It's all about the power of our words.

And at the end of the chapter he says this: "Words of encouragement are like that. They have their own power. And when they are said by the right people, they can change everything. What I've found in following Jesus is that most of the time, when it comes to who says it, we each are the right people. And I've concluded something else. That the words people say to us not only have shelf life but have the ability to shape life."

My challenge to you is to think before you type, before you speak, before you write. Ask yourself "Will this discourage someone or encourage them?" I challenge you to encourage people this week. To only use your words to bring light into the darkness.

What is the point otherwise?