“What Did You Say?”
Do you know that our bodies give off energies, like detailed blueprints or schematics, of what’s going on within us emotionally, mentally as well as physically. Our bodies are continually sending out inaudible signals. We may try to conceal it, but others will pick up on it, because, in actuality, we are speaking without speaking. Our Attitudes sometimes have a knack of communicating things our mouths may not speak. Many times we won’t have to open our mouths at all, yet the message comes across very loud and very clear based on our Attitudes. However, there are those moments when our lips part, the alarm sounds, the whistles blow, for the words are allowed to come out.
We can drive our Attitudes by our words, whether we’re speaking internally to ourselves or externally to others.
“Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”– Proverbs 16:24
We have to replace any unpleasant, unhealthy or degenerative words with pleasant words. Pleasant words minister to our soul in the sweetest ways. Pleasant words also have regenerative, building, strengthening, healing powers for our bones. Pleasant words not only will feed us, but they also have nurturing and uplifting effects on those around us.
“Let a woman learn in silence with all submission.” – I Timothy 2:11
There is so much truth in this short passage of scripture. Humbling yourself in silence produces great inner strength. Silence is a great tool for learning and for keen observation. We’re able to read people better, evaluate the situation with ease, if we just take the time to listen, to really hear and understand what’s going on. You can learn a lot in silence, especially the true heart and meaning of what’s being said.
“Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.”
– Psalm 25:4-5
The Sovereign Lord gave me a “listening ear, as one being taught.” He replaced my reactive tongue with “an instructed tongue,” that knew what to say, how to say it, and when to say it. He revolutionized my life through the following prayer/mantra that He gave me some time ago:
I have an inward incorruptible beauty, a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious to my God (1 Peter 3) My speech is filled with grace and seasoned with salt (Colossians 4). The words coming out of my mouth are tasty to me, therefore they will benefit others. The words that come from me are given to me by the Holy Spirit. I will open my mouth boldly and speak boldly (Ephesians 6). The words I speak will be good for necessary edification to impart grace to whoever hears me (Ephesians 4). The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He awakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen, like one being taught (Isaiah 50) Therefore…my purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love (Colossians 2) I am not fearful. I am bold. I am fearless. I walk and speak in the confidence and authority of my Father, the Most High God, the Creator of Heaven and earth. I have no reason to fear since God is there. Through God, My Father, I am the solution to every problem.
I have repeated it, prayed it and meditated on it an innumerable number of times. I recited it daily for months before I began to believe it, feel it, live it and see the miraculous effects of it. It was through His Word, the regenerative work of His Holy Spirit and this prayer that the Lord, over time, developed and fashioned me as a person, a woman, a wife and a mother. It continues to be my daily recitation because it grounds me. It frames my thoughts and guides my speech, reminding me to hold tight to the best mindset. It also allows me to maintain proper perspective on the healthy Attitudes I have developed and want to convey.
I encourage you: Don’t be hasty with your speech. Remove destructive words from your vocabulary. Begin framing your world with positive and enriching affirmations such as:
“I am the embodiment of joy, I am cherished, I am loved, I matter
I am a great listener, I am understanding and encouraging.”
Repeat them daily. You might want to create your own prayer mantra, allowing the Lord to instruct your tongue. Following these steps, I can assure you, will attract wonderful and miraculous experiences to your life.
~ Excerpt from my book “The Be-Attitudes: Women and The Many Faces We Wear”