"With friends like you, who needs enemies?" Kelly said to one of her friends. Upon hearing this, her friend turned around and promptly stomped off without speaking a word. Kelly was confused by her reaction and didn't connect it to what she said. Days went by and she was bewildered by the "silent treatment" she was receiving. Kelly had no clue as to why this was happening. They had been the best of friends since first grade and suddenly after five years their relationship ended. The last time they spoke she wanted to convey how much she cherished their friendship. Together they had faced trouble with teachers, parents and girls who hated them. Their friendship had enabled them to withstand any and all adversaries. Kelly wanted her to know how special she was. "With friends like you, who needs enemies?" she had softly said. She meant this as a compliment, but as we know it's not a compliment; it's an insult. In conversing with other friends Kelly was horrified to discover her error. She timidly approached her friend and explained her blunder. Her friend forgave her and they both laughed at her total misunderstanding.
Words used carelessly can destroy, but if used wisely they can heal. Words, whether spoken or read, have incredible power that can either build a person up or tear a person down. They can have a positive or negative affect on a person's self-image and character. Many times we are unconscious of how words affect us. Advertisers, politicians and those who control the various forms of media cleverly use words to persuade you to buy their goods, shape your views, or influence your choice on how to spend your time.
We can take control of our lives by monitoring our thoughts and words. How does that happen? The following saying explains it:
Watch your thoughts for they become your words.
Watch your words for they become your actions.
Watch your actions for they become your habits.
Watch your habits for they become your character.
And watch your character for it becomes your destiny.
What we think, we become.
Do you want to be intentional in shaping your future? Consider your thoughts and the words that proceed from them. Shape them with powerful words, positive words, truthful words. The best source of all of this is found in the word of God, the Bible. Feast on the word of God and watch what happens. Consume it until it consumes you. Let it transform you by the power of God's word!