Words, words, words.  The mighty power of them!  How many of you have been angered by cutting remarks and unkind words said in a moment of anger, jealousy, hatred or envy?  And how many of you still relive those statements over and over and over?  This is the mighty power of words.  Long after the ruckus has died down, the hurtful remarks are remembered in the heart.

“But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.  Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.  Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing.  My brethren, these things ought not so to be.”   (James 3:8-10)

Conversely, how many of you have kept love notes or words of kindness sent by a friend?  Cards pinned to your refrigerator or dresser. Letters from long ago with words to relive over and over in your heart.  Words said through social media or an email.  Books with words inscribed by a loved one inside. Words which keep our hearts from despair.  Words which uplift us.

Words are very powerful, and we must use them wisely.

“Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”     (I Thessalonians 5:11)

“Soft words sung in a lullaby will put a child to sleep.  Hateful words will stir a mob to violence.  Encouraging words will send armies marching into the face of death.  Encouraging words will fan into a flame the genius of a Rembrandt or a Lincoln.  Powerful words will mold the public mind as a sculptor molds clay.  Words, spoken or written, are a dynamic force.

Writing of Napoleon and his Italian campaign, Emil Ludwig said, “Half of what he achieves is achieved by the power of words.”

Words are the swords we use in our battle for success and happiness.  How others react toward us depends, in a large measure, upon the words we speak to them.  Life is a great whispering gallery that sends back echoes of the words we send out.  Our words are immortal, too.  They go marching through the years in the lives of all those with whom we come in contact.  As Wilfred Peterson writes, “When you speak, when you write, remember the creative power of words.”     ~ Anonymous

“Words are pale shadows of forgotten names.  As names have power, words have power.  Words can light fires in the minds of men.  Words can wring tears from the hardest of hearts.”      ~ Rothfuss

Eileen Light