The Power of Words (by guest Cheryl Wray)

I can’t remember a time when my world wasn’t bathed in words. I have fuzzy memories of sitting on my parent’s lap and being read to as a small child. When I got old enough to learn to read myself, there were never enough books to keep me satisfied. I read voraciously–anywhere and everywhere I could find a landing spot. On a blanket underneath the big tree in my childhood home’s front yard; underneath a blanket on my bed, past my bedtime with a hidden flashlight for the forbidden late night activity; in the library, at my grandparents’ homes, at school, and in church. (I hate to admit it, but I remember hiding a book behind a hymnal once).

Reading was my escape, even though I didn’t have much to escape from. Life was good, but reading made it better.

Words enveloped me in my childhood, and continued to do so as I grew older.

I began writing, following in my parent’s footsteps–a journalism professor and an English teacher. It’s as if I couldn’t escape the love, the urge, the need to write. Maybe it is in my genes!

When I was nine years old, I created a neighborhood newspaper, going door-to-door and asking for a quarter for my weekly subscription.

I won essay contests and wrote for school publications. I wrote for myself, too, in journals and diaries. Writing made-up stories and poems entertained me for hours.

Words kept me sane as a teenager and later as a young adult. They created a safe space to give life my worries, to share my joys, and to explore my creativity. Writing became as much a part of my life as breathing.

I cannot help but wonder what in the world is wrong with a person when I hear that most Americans did not read a book for pleasure in the past year or that someone doesn’t like to write. Surely there aren’t people whose only source of words are ones they speak or hear in conversation or on television!

You see, words are powerful.

As I grew in my faith–in many of the same places and situations where I grew as a reader and writer–I realized that words had been given to us to use for good. Words, in the hands of an intentional, God-inspired believer, can be:

Affirming

Edifying

Saving, even.

When my middle daughter was in high school, she was hurt by gossip, harsh words, and lies. The words weren’t spoken by a peer or classmate but by an adult at our church. She still remembers the exact words said about her; they have stuck with her for almost a decade. Why would someone be so cruel?

We’ve all encountered similar situations. The childish saying “sticks and stones†denies the hurt we feel from words, but it’s there. We’ve all been there.

As Christians, we should know better. We’ve been taught to know better, yet unkind words come from our lips.

When I read the Bible, I’m constantly reminded of the power of words–not just that God has spoken directly to us through language, but that we are admonished to use words in hopeful, healing ways.

It shouldn’t surprise you that some of my favorite scripture passages deal with the importance of words. Here are a few scriptures about the power of words:

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.†(Psalm 19:14)

“Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies!†(Psalm 34:13)

“Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction.†(Proverbs 18:21)

“Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.†(Proverbs 16:24)

I have been blessed for many years to share my love for words and, often, to bring glory to God in the process.