PROVERBS 18‬:‭21‬ ‭AMP

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words.”

‬‬
GOLD NUGGETS

Don’t think that your words will be overlooked and easily erased. I can still remember some words an adult relation said to me that pierced my heart and soul, leaving a deep scar within me. The hurt has gone now and forgiveness had dealt with the residual effects, but the memory burned within me for years. Counsellors will tell you how unkind and cruel words spoken to a child in its early years can shape and mould its life for good or for bad. I was told of a man who was frantically working himself into death. He was a volatile human being whose temper exploded at the slightest hint of disagreement or criticism”. It was found out that during his childhood this man’s father repeatedly told him: “You are not going to amount to anything.” Every time his father lost his temper, he would repeat this statement to his hearing. Thirty years later the man still bore the pain of his father’s verbal abuse and was driven to prove his father wrong. This is what psychologists are talking about when they refer to people who are driven. They are driven by the lash of cruel words spoken to them in their early years. Take, on the other hand, this example of another man. He told me that his father used to hug him every day and say: “You are so special to me. There is no one in the world who could take your place.” That man grew up with aliveness and optimism in his personality. While we may not be able to prevent what others say to us, we can control what we say to ourselves. Proverbs is right: death words destroy, life words build up and give increasing strength. SHALOM: God’s all encompassing blessings to you