I suppose you could call it a professional hazard as a neuropsychologist. I have a tendency to pay attention to what people say, and what people don’t say, what they do, and what they don’t do. I’m always paying attention, and always listening. Sometimes I’ll comment, if people want to know my opinion, but I often just stay silent.
I have noticed that there is a tendency for people to comment with what I think they believe to be a generally benign statement. I have done this myself. Fortunately, as I’ve become more aware, I catch myself much more quickly.
Let me give you an example. I frequently overhear people say something along the lines of “I’m just really worried that…” or “I’m just afraid that…” and then they go on to express their concern.
The power of our words
What we frequently don’t remember, and some may not even realize, is that our words have power. Scripture says that there is power for life and death in the tongue.
When we speak things out such as “I’m worried that…” or “I’m afraid that…” we are actually giving the enemy of our soul an open door to bring about those things that we’re worried about.
God tells us to not be worried, not be afraid. He says “Fear Not!” and “Be anxious for nothing.”
Frequently we will say such things over relatively benign circumstances, when perhaps what we are trying to express is that we “wonder if…” or “are concerned about…” For example, we might say, “I’m worried that the bank might close before I get there” when we could say, “I wonder what the banks hours are, and if I’ll have time to get there before they close.”
But our words truly have power. So we must be careful what and how we say it. When we speak about what we are worried about or afraid of, we give the enemy an open door to wreak havoc in our lives.
Worry, fear and anxiety steal our peace
Often, when I get the opportunity to speak on the topic of worry, fear, or anxiety, I explain that that is one of the enemy’s tactics to kill our peace. If you’ve read my book, “Hope Prevails: Insights From a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression,” one of the chapters is about reclaiming our peace because the enemy tries to steal our peace and he’s quite effective at it.
One of the ways the enemy attempts to steal our peace is by bringing about worry, fear, and anxiety. But so often, we let him by opening the door to him with our words, like when we say “I’m worried that…” or “I’m afraid that…”
Fix your thoughts on God
The truth is, according to Isaiah 26:3, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you.” So rather than worrying about something or being anxious about something or being afraid of something, we need to keep our thoughts firmly fixed on God. He already has it all figured out. We need to be very careful about the words that we speak out because our words have the power to bring life or death, blessings or cursings to ourselves, to our situation, and to others.
Be careful of your words. Speak words of life into your situation, and into your loved ones, and keep your thoughts firmly planted on God so that He can keep you in perfect peace.
Because of Him, #PeacePrevails!
Related Reading:
40 Scriptures to Combat Worry, Fear, Anxiety and Panic
It Is Finished: What Jesus Would Say About Anxiety
7 Steps for Coping with Anxiety
Thank you so much for these insights on the power of our words, especially negative ones. For me I’m not sure I speak these words, but I certainly think them ALL THE TIME! I am trying to remember to take EVERY thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
I appreciated your examples on how to turn words around to be more positive.
Great post!
Karen,
I think it’s so easy for us to NOT pay attention to our thoughts. But there is so much power when we take the time to take them captive to the obedience of Christ. That offers victory where the enemy would otherwise seek to defeat us. Easy? No, but worth it. And it does get easier with practice.
Michelle, your advice is always so good. Even as I type this comment, I see that this post has been shared 630 times. It thrills me to see that so many people will gain hope and comfort through your words!
Thanks so much for joining the Grace at Home party at Imparting Grace. I’m featuring you this week!
Richella, thank you for the feature. This topic is so near and dear to my heart that my next book is about exactly this: how to break the grip of worry, fear, and anxiety and reclaim the peace God promises. Anxiety isn’t God’s best for us. He wants us to live in peace, trusting Him to provide, to rescue, to redeem, to defend, to comfort, to heal…When we can get to the place where we fully trust Him, we will get to the place that allows no room for worry, fear, and anxiety.
Very powerful post.Thanks for sharing your resources on the #LMMLinkup this past week.
Thank you Mary. This is a topic that is near and dear to my heart, and in fact, the focus of my next book. So many people struggle with worry, fear, and anxiety, but that isn’t God’s best for us. I want His peace above all, and in all situations. Thanks for visiting!