Imagine if every word that you speak actually happens. Imagine if every word that you speak sows a seed of life--joy, peace, patience, encouragement, etc. or a seed of death: fear, doubt, worry, anxiety, pain, etc. Imagine the impact that your words would have if your words came to life. How would you choose to speak differently if this imagination was a reality? Well, as a matter of fact, it is a reality.
Our words and declarations accompanied by what we believe and choose to come into agreement with, will sow and reap either life or death. Every word that we speak impacts and carry's an assignment; to create, to build, or to tare down. I recently came across an article written by a man named Dr. Chidi Okoroafor and this quote stood out to me; "Whether you know it or not, each time you open your mouth, you are prophesying your future. If you want to be stronger, healthier and happier, then start declaring it today." Whether a word is randomly spoken or spoken with intention, what we speak will either positively or negatively impact our life and the lives of those connected to us.
One of my favorite quotes from the book "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey is "Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny." I believe that somewhere in between sowing a thought and sowing an action is sowing and reaping a spoken word. It is easy to think that our words have no impact when we don't believe them, but on the contrary, what we speak out of our mouth is usually a reflection of what we already believe, or it will eventually become a part of what we believe the more we confess and hear it. After your belief is impacted by your thoughts and declarations, then your actions will impact your habits, your habits will impact your character, and all of these decisions will eventually shape the pathway to your destiny.
I have seen how my thought life and my words have impacted my life in many ways, but specifically in my wellness and fitness journey recently. Some days I'm excited about working out and eating well and other days I want to skip the gym and eat two Hershey pies; yes, I said two. However, having a firm "why" and being mindful of my declarations continuously helps me to stay the course and not get too far off track. In the beginning developing better eating habits and working out consistently wasn't always easy but the desire to change my habits started with my thoughts and declarations changing. For a period of time I kept declaring what I wanted out loud until I believed it strong enough to be willing to do what it took to consistently achieve and maintain my goal based on my why; to live a long and healthy life, feel and look good based on my standard, and to be able to chase around my future children and grandchildren one day.
I am a firm believer of progress over perfection and I am far from perfect. I am constantly growing, learning, and developing, and I am grateful for the growth that I have seen thus far from being more intentional about what I meditate on and what I choose to speak.
All in all, being mindful of our thought life and the words that we speak is an act of obedience, worship, and honor to the Lord. Always remember that change is on the other side of comfort, familiarity, and fear. Change is only a temporary discomfort that will eventually lead to a better version of you; the person who God created you to be. God partners with us in our relationship with Him through Jesus, to create and impact the world through what we say and through what we do. May we guard our tongue and be mindful of what we speak to ourselves as well as what we speak to others. Before you speak think, "because every word that I speak comes to life, how will I choose to speak in this moment." May our words sow and reap truth, love, blessings, honor, respect, joy, peace, encouragement, and everything that will bring forth life.
Be encouraged, stay the course, enjoy the journey, and abide and ride!
Shalom.
-Simone Parke
Abiding Prayer:
Abba Father, please bring to remembrance any negative word that I have spoken or have come into agreement with. Help me to be mindful of my words and only speak and receive life giving words. I repent for any negative words that I have spoken about myself or to others and I come out of agreement with any word that does not align my future and with who you have created me to be. Like David in Psalm 51:10, I ask that your create in me a clean heart and renew a right sprit within me. By faith, I receive your forgiveness and your love and I thank you for always meeting me where I am and for always choosing to love me despite my areas of growth. Thank you for the fact that I can do all things through your Son Jesus. Thank you that through Him, I have the Holy Spirit who dwells inside of me to help me guard my tongue by renewing my mind with your Word and by growing in self discipline in order to change my thought life and my declarations.
"Help me to be disciplined enough to obey You the way You want me to so I can become the person You created me to be." -Stormie Omartian (The Power of a Praying Woman)
In Jesus'. name, amen.
Abiding Scriptures:
Proverbs 31:25-26 (NLT) - Context: The Virtues of a Noble Woman
"She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks her words are wise and she gives instruction with kindness."
Ephesians 4:29 (ESV)
"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."
Psalm 18:21 (KJV)
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."
Isaiah 55:11 (ESV)
"So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."
Colossians 4:6 (ESV)
"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."
Psalm 15:1 (ESV)
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Additional Scriptures on Speaking Life:
If this blog has encouraged you in any way, please feel free to like, comment below, and share!
