Years ago I was hanging out with a friend.  After just a few short minutes of being together I heard him refer to one of his children using some not-so-nice terminology.  A few minutes later, in the midst of fussing, he used this title again.  Rather than using the child’s given name he would always call out or refer to the child using this same title, almost like it had become a nickname—and a bad nickname at that.  This child was strong-willed, mischievous and, if I’m being honest, could be a challenge at times to deal with.  If you’ve ever seen advertisements or watched it yourself the movie “Problem Child” was a close comparison.  Throughout the day I kept hearing him using this negative name over and over again and I cringed inside every time he did it though, after a while, I didn’t notice it as often as I became accustomed to hearing it.  I wasn’t this child’s father and really didn’t know what went on behind closed doors, though I suspected it was much of same behavior and activities I had experienced during my few hours with them.  Now, quite a few years have passed and that child, well they’re not a ‘child’ anymore, physically embodies the title that was given so long ago.  If someone recognized that child as being ‘challenging’ back then, those old assumptions were NOTHING in comparison to how they act now. 

I told that story to make a valid and valuable point.  There is power in what you say.  There is power in every word that comes out of your mouth.  While I understand my friend’s frustrations, as I’m sure he had a lot to deal with every day, I can not condone the title he labeled his child with.  Even in those moments of hearing him use it I knew it was wrong and somehow I knew it would have a lasting affect…..and sadly, it did.  In Proverbs 18:21 (NKJV) Solomon states, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.”  Like all of us, Solomon was far from perfect but he is considered one of the wisest to ever grace this earth.  He knew this to be true, no doubt, because he had experienced it.

I could ramble on but my message today is simple — watch what you say!  Sometimes (and sorry for being so forceful but some of us require it) we just need to put the SHUT-to-the-UP!!  The next time you decide to say something negative about or over someone, especially those closest to you, just….DON’T!  The next time you decide to complain about how bad your day is or how crazy and terrible the coming week will be just…SHHHHH!!!  Rather than concentrate on how sick you have been or how bad you have felt remind yourself, “…by His stripes [I] am HEALED!”  Rather than fuss about how your boss doesn’t respect you and treats you badly, turn the tables and shower him/her with kindness—after all, we are suppose to “Do unto others as we would have them do us,” aren’t we?  The moment you say “I can’t” or “I don’t” is the moment you purposefully paralyze yourself.  Why would you do that?!?  As a worship leader I have people constantly approach me and ask, “Do you write any worship music?”  My response is always, “Not yet!”  I make that statement in faith that some day God will give me with songs that will usher His people into His presence.  Not for my own recognition but that He might be glorified. 

Why choose to place limitations on yourself or those around you?  I don’t know about the God YOU serve but, “I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength!!” [Phil 4:13]  Be purposeful in how you live your life.  Speak life, not death, over yourself, family, and different situations you may find yourself in.  There’s ALWAYS a ‘silver-lining’ forming around those storm clouds.  The ‘silver-lining’ we hear so many refer to is the sun attempting to shine through or over those storm clouds.  The sun WILL shine again but until then, PRAISE HIM ON CREDIT!!!!