“YOU ARE SO LAZY YOU WILL NEVER AMOUNT TO ANYTHING!”  I’ve heard stories of people who have said that to their children.

You can’t take it back.  You can’t take words back.  It’s like trying to put toothpaste back into the tube.  It can’t be done.  Words can be hurtful and the hurt can last a long time.

Positive words can go a long way with people, too  – children, adults, employees, friends, waitresses, and all kinds of people we come in contact with.

Ephesians 4:29 – Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

We have a lot of power with the tiny tongue in our mouth and the words we create with that tongue.  It’s tiny but James says the tongue is a small part of the body but it makes great boasts.  James compares the tongue to a small rudder that steers a large ship.  Likewise our tongue is very small but can make a huge impact on other people by the way we use our tongues and the words that flow from that tongue.

We should be positive people.  We should never talk down to anyone or set out to make anyone feel stupid or inferior.  When someone does that, they are showing their ignorance and sense of insecurity.

Your kids long to hear positive words from you instead of constant nagging.  We all have probably said nagging things to our kids before but if we continue to only pump negative things into our children, they will start feeling defeated.  The devil will recognize the weakness and swoop in to take over.  Sometimes those negative attitudes portrayed from parents can last through a child’s lifetime because they don’t know any different.  They were told all the things they did wrong as a child and were never fed positive, uplifting words and will carry on the tradition to their children.

We need to vow to stop the negative words from the evil one and vow to allow God to use us in a positive way to make a difference to others through our positive words and tone and attitude.  There are ways to get our points across to our kids and to our co-workers and our friends without being negative and bossy and judgmental.

Ephesians 4:31-32(a) says to get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another.

We need to learn to be kind and compassionate to one another.  We need to let kind words flow from our lips and let our attitude and tone be positive and Christ-like in all we do.  I had a situation recently where I was talking to someone about a controversial issue.  The person was very defensive.  I listened to them and answered with soft tones and words.  I asked God to help me with my words to say the right things.  The issue was resolved but I believe only because no harsh words were exchanged and the Holy Spirit helped me to keep a calm tone and positive words.  That wasn’t me talking….that was God talking through me.

Think about how you want to be treated and treat others that way.  Think about how you want to be talked to and talk to others that way.  Speak positive words into the lives of your children and your spouse.  Sometmes we are kinder to strangers than to our own family.  We should be the safe place where our family wants to be.  We should be the safe person they can depend on.

As we go through the rest of the week and the weekend approaches, ask for guidance from the Lord to help you speak positive words of kindness rather than negative words with grouchy tones.  Be the Sunshine to those around you.  Feel the Power of Positive Words.