What’s in Your Mouth?

What we say has an impact. We’ve all been in a room with someone who started spewing angry words. Those words affected the atmosphere of the room. Definitely uncomfortable.

What happens when you say positive words that encourage people?

Positive words not only change the feeling in a room, they change us. It’s as if we’re reminding ourselves that there is more that is good. As we say positive things, a positive perspective is more deeply solidified in us.

Paul wrote in Phllippians 4:8 (ESV), “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

From those positive thoughts, we can speak positive words that remind us of all that is good in this world.

Conversely, negative words perpetuate an ongoing negative perspective. Every day we wake up to people saying how bad things are, how awful life is, how wrong this person or that person is. If you look at all the bad that’s in the world from a global view, you may want to give up.

We have a choice every day to look at life within the scope of our influence—within the groups of people where we interact—instead of looking at the whole world and its challenges. When we narrow our focus to the relationships that we have and how we can positively impact them, we’ll see that there is so much that is good.

We can either look at all the bad in the whole world and then despair, or we can be refreshed by looking for what’s good around us and thanking God for that.

When Paul wrote those words to believers in Philippi, the world around him was difficult and full of challenges. Paul was pretty clear when he wrote, “Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute! Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.” Philippians 4:4-8 (MSG)

I try to take time every day to be outside. I’ve been known to walk in the rain just so I can be outside. Regardless of the weather, there is such beauty. I see it in the rich color of the soil, the shimmer of leaves blowing in the wind, the brilliant blue or misty gray of the sky, the simple work of an insect, and the glide of a bird. All of that inspires and reminds me that life continues in simplicity and beauty regardless of what people say. I remember that God created that soil, those leaves, the colors of the sky, that insect and bird, and He created me to live and flourish within that.

Sometimes I think about the people I know, and I remind myself of how awesome they are and specifically what they do or say that makes them so awesome. Then I text or call them to tell them that.

We choose our perspective in life. Here’s a simple but important question: where can I find the right perspective?

When we look at what God has said in the Bible, our perspective will be positive. Our words are the result of what we think, how we perceive life. So, hanging out with God in worship, prayer, and reading His words can give you the strength you need today and tomorrow and the next day.

You don’t have to despair or give up. Look for the good and see where you can make a difference in someone’s life.