Your Words Matter

Have you ever experienced a time in your life where things were going relatively well, and then all of a sudden you started to feel discouraged? I realized this was happening to me today, and as I found myself trying to figure out what was going on, I heard the Lord say “your words matter”. Keep in mind I hadn’t said anything yet out of my mouth, but I was so grateful for the gentle reminder that my words matter. I had a choice to make. I could either begin to murmur and complain, believe the negative thoughts that were coming, or I could do as David did and encourage myself in the Lord.

Let’s examine this passage closely:

1 Samuel 30:6 KJV- And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.

1 Samuel 30:6 NLT-David was now in great danger because all his men were very bitter about losing their sons and daughters, and they began to talk of stoning him. But David found strength in the Lord his God.

The first thing we notice is that David was greatly distressed by what he heard. Distress is defined as great pain, anxiety or sorrow; acute physical or mental suffering; affliction; trouble. We can deduce that he was entering a state of depression, simply because of the words he heard being spoken about him. The next thing we notice is that despite the fact that everyone around him was grieving, he chose to encourage himself in the Lord. The NLT version says he found strength. Anxiety and depression can make one weak. Dwelling on negative thoughts, weakens the mind. Nehemiah 8:10 reminds us that the joy of the Lord is our strength.

In my case, I was listening to the words of the enemy, and I found myself slowly feeling anxious and unsure of myself. Like David, thankfully, I didn’t dwell there. I began to take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5). I stopped scrolling on social media (changed my focus), and began to remind myself of the promises of God. I made the choice to speak life and not death (Proverbs 18:21). I want to encourage you to keep your focus on God. Don’t compare yourself to what others are doing and don’t concern yourself with what they may be saying about you. Do as Colossians 3:1 says and set your affections on things above. When the negative thoughts come, do as Philippians 4:8 says, “whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” The next time you find yourself feeling weary, discouraged, depressed, or just not yourself remember your words matter. Speak life and let the joy of the Lord be your strength. Until next week….

Be blessed, but first comes obedience!

Rev. Robin