Recently, I shared a thought in one of my blog posts that has stuck with me. It’s about the words we choose to use. The Bible tells us that “life and death are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21) so if we are smart, we will choose our words wisely.
Our words are creative containers that are formed from the thoughts we have. Good thoughts? Good words. Bad thoughts? Bad words. No wonder the apostle Paul tells us to “renew our minds” (Romans 12:2) with God’s Word because when our thoughts are aligned with God’s thoughts, then we have no choice but to speak life.
We live in a culture that thrives on drama. The more the better. Someone may be going through a challenge, but we want to one up them. “Well, let me tell you what I’m going through!” This is not to say that we should not share our trials with a trusted friend or counselor, but when do we stop rehearsing the wound and instead rehearse the win?
When we rehearse our wound, we talk about it 24/7 to anyone who will listen. What does that do to our actions and behaviors? Well, most likely it keeps us in a victim mentality, a “woe is me” life.
That is NOT the life Jesus died for us to have. It says clearly in John 10:10 that Jesus came that “we would have life and have it to the full.” Clearly this is victor mentality! We are winners because of what Jesus did for us.
So why don’t our words match our real identity? Could be a b-zillion reasons. Maybe we like the attention that telling our troubles gets us. Or perhaps we simply don’t know how to get out of the pit we’re in and we’re seeking advice from wiser people.
Yet, who is wiser than God? No one! Oh sure, our peeps can share how they may have handled this situation or that, but only God knows what’s best for us. His thoughts and His ways are higher ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). I’m not sure about you, but I think I’d prefer higher thoughts and ways, right?
If we truly believe that the Bible is God’s Word and that it is absolute truth, then it goes without saying that we should be saying what it says.
If God’s Word says you are healed, then you are healed. If God’s Word says you are forgiven because of the sacrifice of Jesus, then you are forgiven. If God’s Word says you are loved unconditionally, then you are loved unconditionally.
Our problem is simply that these promises are too good to be true! Really? God loves me even though I sin? God’s promises are for me even if I behaved badly? Yep and yep.
Now does He want you to keep sinning and behaving badly. Well, of course not! That’s why He gives us that little “nudge” when we are about to make a poor decision. Inherently, we really do know what’s right and wrong. It’s our decision which we choose.
Do we do what God says or what we want? When we choose to do what’s right, God does the happy dance. When we don’t? Well, He may not be happy dancing, but He does still love us. Like a good father, God wants the best for us and you know the old saying “Father knows best!”
In my heart of hearts, I think so many of our problems (personally and in our culture) stem from the fact that we just do not understand that God, our Father in heaven, loves us deeply and unconditionally. His mercies are new each day (Lamentations 3:22-24) and He will give us the grace to get through whatever wound we are experiencing.
This is why Paul tells us to renew our minds with God’s Word. If we’ve believed lies all our lives, then we have to “flush them out” with the Truth and speak life over our lives.
Then we can begin to rehearse the win, not the wound.
You may be going through a tough time right now. Maybe you don’t see your way out, but God does. Place your trust in Him and He will carry you through. Align your words with His and pretty soon, you’ll be on the other side of that wound, shouting the victory cry!
If you would like to learn more about why choosing God’s ways is the best decision, then I encourage you to watch or listen to the Elevate The Day Podcast episode, ” God’s Way Is The Best Way” Click here to listen or watch now.