The Power of Words

Words have this amazing power to build up or break down, to be a source of encouragement or discouragement, to express love or hate. My church had a sermon last month titled “Loving With Words” that really confirmed my thoughts on a side project I’m now working on.

I received a crazy gift for my last birthday, it was a pack of 50 blank note cards. My first thought was what to do with them, since I don’t generally have a need for blank note cards, and I contemplated just donating them. The more I looked at the package, the more I thought about using them to send out encouragement to friends and family or other people that I know who could use a kind word.

As this “project” began to form in my mind, I decided I would share each of the cards content on a separate blog, aptly called Fifty Notes. My hope is to spread the encouragement of each card beyond the person that receives it.

I thought I’d close out with some verses from Proverbs to remind us all of the power of our words. I pray that we all choose to “speak life” into others with our words.

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. (Proverbs 18:21 NIV)

The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction. (Proverbs 16:21 NIV)

An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips. (Proverbs 24:26 NIV)

Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. (Proverbs 12:25 NIV)

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Proverbs 15:1 NIV)

The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (Proverbs 12:18 NIV)