The Power of Words – A heartfelt reflection

The Power of Words: A Heartfelt Reflection

This morning as I spent time in meditation with God. The realization that I have, at times, destroyed people with my words.  It’s a truth I can’t escape, and one that breaks me deeply. The words I’ve spoken in anger, frustration, or bitterness—words I thought were justified in the moment—have left scars on others, scars I can’t undo. Most painfully, these words have been spoken to those I love most: my spouse and my children.

Over the past few years, I’ve learned that words hold incredible power—more than I ever realized. In moments of heightened emotion, I’ve used that power recklessly, not considering the damage it caused. It’s sobering to realize that the words spoken have left lasting marks on the hearts of those I love. I wish I could take back every hurtful word, every judgment, every cutting remark, but I know I can’t undo the past. I think back on times when I’ve been short with my spouse, said things to my children in frustration, or let irritation with a stranger lead to judgment—moments when I regret the words spoken and sometimes even the thoughts I’ve kept to myself.

There are also those private moments when no one is around to hear—like when I’m driving in my car, and someone cuts me off or drives recklessly. I’ve spoken harshly in those moments too, reacting in anger instead of choosing peace. Instead of asking God to bless them, protect them, and grant them peace on their journey, I’ve let frustration and irritation dominate my words. How different those moments would be if I paused, took a breath, and let words of blessing flow out instead of words of frustration.

At times, I justified my words—telling myself that the situation, or the person’s behavior, deserved my sharp response. I’ve said things in defense, thinking I had every right to speak my mind, to correct, or to express my frustration. But as I reflect, I realize that even when I felt justified, those words were not the ones God would have chosen. If I had only understood the power of words to heal, to encourage, to change the atmosphere, I could have responded differently. Even in the most difficult circumstances, there was a better way to speak. If I had paused, adjusted my tone, and spoken with grace instead of justifying my frustration, the outcome could have been so different.  When the conversation ended would they have walked away reflection on the goodness of God.

It’s not just been my family where this has shown up—it’s been other areas of my life, in situations where I felt wronged or misunderstood. There have been times I’ve spoken out of hurt, times I’ve reacted instead of responding. In those moments, I forgot that my words have the ability to change not only my heart, but the hearts of others as well. How many times have I let a situation spiral, simply because I didn’t choose my words carefully? How many opportunities have I missed to speak life and blessing, to bring healing instead of division?

Yet, I know that there have also been times when I’ve used my words to encourage and build up. It hasn’t always been ugly words. There have been moments when I’ve chosen to speak life into a person, to offer words of comfort, hope, and encouragement. These are the moments I treasure and look back on with gratitude, knowing that I’ve been a vessel of God’s love and grace in those instances. But even with those good moments, I recognize the need to be more intentional with every word I speak—because it’s not just the negative words I need to watch, but also to consistently choose the positive, life-giving words that can heal and restore.

But as I was spending time with God this morning, I was reminded of a profound truth: words hold not only the power to destroy, but the power to build, to heal, and to transform. God has given us the incredible ability to speak life into situations, to change circumstances through the words we choose. If only we stopped, even for a moment, to truly understand the weight our words carry. If only we recognized that our words can either hold the power of life or the power of death.

Imagine how different our relationships, our homes, social media, and our communities could be if we chose to speak words of blessing over others. Words of encouragement, words of peace, words that lift up instead of tear down—these are the words that can transform lives. They can shift the atmosphere, change someone’s perspective, and offer hope where there was once despair. Words have the power to change circumstances, to breathe life into weary souls, and to bring healing to broken hearts.

It’s easy to forget the magnitude of this power when we’re caught up in our emotions, when we’re angry or frustrated. But the truth is, our words are a reflection of God’s love and grace—and when we choose to speak in alignment with that love, we partner with God in bringing about good in the lives of those around us. How different would things be if we chose to speak blessings instead of judgments? How much healing could be brought if we chose to speak peace instead of frustration?

Reading through the book of James, I’m reminded of just how much my words have shaped my life and the lives of others. James 3:5-6 says, “The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body.” My words, though small, have sparked fires—fires of hurt, confusion, and pain. Sometimes, many times i didn’t even realize the damage I was doing, but now I see that even the smallest spark can set off something much bigger.

But in those same moments, my words could have been the spark that brought healing, encouragement, and blessing. And that’s where the hope lies. While I can’t change the past, I can change how I use my words moving forward. I can learn to speak with kindness, grace, and love, to offer words of blessing rather than judgment, to choose life instead of destruction.

The past few years, I have worked hard with the Holy Spirits help to become more intentional with my words. I’ve learned that the effort it takes to pause before speaking is well worth it. The more I choose to speak with compassion, to encourage instead of criticize, to bless rather than condemn, the more I see how transformative those words can be. I still don’t always get it right, but I’m growing, and I’m learning to be more patient and loving with my words—whether in big conversations or in those private moments when I’m alone.

James 1:19 reminds us to be “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” This is a verse I’ve come to cherish as I grow older. I want to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. The older I get, the more I see the wisdom in this. I want to pause before I speak, reflect before I react, and choose words that reflect God’s love and truth.

If you’re reading this and you like me are reflecting on the weight of words you’ve spoken—whether to your loved ones, to others in your life, social media, or even when you’re alone in your car—I want to encourage you. There is grace for you. It’s never too late to speak words that bring life. It’s never too late to start using your voice to build, to heal, and to bless. Let’s be intentional with our words. Let’s choose to speak life, even when it’s hard. Let’s seek forgiveness where we’ve fallen short and trust in the power of God to transform us, one word at a time.