At the bottom of each individual, I truly believe that every one of us has a good heart in common. Maybe it has been obscured or protected by scars, but the original seed of optimistic hope remains.
There is something else we have in common—words. We use them every day for every purpose from comfort to weapons. For many of us, they are the tools of our trade, and I have personally been in love with them since I was old enough to understand that the magical thing my mother was sharing with me was called a book.
Words are referenced as a subject 465 times in the Bible. We refer to the Bible itself as God’s Holy word, and words are the primary means we use to communicate our ideas, frustrations, and each sort of feeling, every progression and inspiration of our lives. We change other people’s lives with words.
One of the catch phrases of our culture today is “Going Viral”! So what is an actual virus? It is an infectious agent that replicates itself only within a living host, and of course the host must come in contact with the virus.
What if kindness were a virus? What if concern-for-others “went viral?”There are many acts we can offer to serve others, to do for them, but the most ready, the easiest, the fastest way we can touch other people is through words:
- I know you, and I accept you for just who you are.
- I believe in you. I trust you. I have confidence in you.
- I see that you made that mistake, and you can’t take it back—maybe you can’t even fix it, but I know that you learned from it.
- You don’t have to be perfect. You’re human—just like me.
- Never give up.
- Be at peace with what you can’t change. Make the best of your situation, and lean on God for the rest.
- I know you have the courage to stand up for your belief.
- You have so many talents, so much knowledge to contribute for the good of all.
- With God in all things, you have the strength to make a difference.
Some claim that affirmations can change your attitude and behaviors, help you stay focused, relax and release tension, and motivate you to achieve your goals. If these claims are true, the practice of verbal affirmation could be the single greatest preventative of tension and ultimately stroke.
Discoveries like this go a long way toward proving on a practical level what Deuteronomy 29:9 promises: Observe the words of his covenant and follow them, and you will succeed in everything you do.
Most would agree that it is definitely easier to succeed if you believe good words, hear good words, practice saying good words to any one in every part of your life. Good words—the best place to begin every good work.
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