Words Hold Power to Hurt or Heal [video] Chris Medina
WORDS
The Power of Words
Words have IMMENSE Power. Words have power to bestow blessings or condemnation both on ourselves and on others.
The words that run through our minds have the ability to fill us with courage and make us better or tear us down and break our spirit.
Most of the words and thoughts that run through our minds find their way in on a subconscious level. The subconscious is like a storage box; it accumulates information. It does not decipher what is true and what is not. It has no morals or judgment or truth. It is simply an information holding tank.
Many people live most of their lives responding to the stored data in their subconscious. For instance, let's say your parent is angry and in frustration says, "You are worthless!" The statement, spoken in anger, is soon forgotten by the Mom or Dad but the word, worthless, goes into the subconscious and is stored. Imagine, years later your spouse calls you worthless. There is now a repeat word in the subconscious making that name a bit heavier in your belief system.
Through an organization called Life Skills International, I learned that most of our responses and feelings and interpretations of situations come from our subconscious.
If we are aware that our reaction is coming from the past, we can then choose to interpret the situation with truth and gauge our response appropriately. If your response to a circumstance is greater than the situation calls for, you can be sure that reaction came from the storage box of your past.
Choose your Words Carefully
Live in the Present
The more you learn to live in the present and not in the subconscious, the healthier you will be.
For instance, if you are not focused in the present and not aware of the junk in your trunk a scenario like this might play out: Your husband says "You forgot to shut the cupboard door." You feel the heat rush to your face and react in anger by slamming the door shut. Inside you feel conflicted. You know you overreacted to his comment.
At that point, stop, take a moment to examine your emotions. Ask yourself, "Why did I react that way?" You may find a clue hiding in the subconscious. This process takes practice, and you won't always know where it came from, but be sure of this, when you overreact, it came from the past. When he said "You forgot" you heard, "You're Worthless."
For those of you bombarded with powerful negative words throughout your childhood, it is vital to learn to live in the present moment. Those words of the past, stored in your subconscious, causes you to misinterpret situations and overreact. There are some who do not overreact outwardly but go inside themselves to block the pain.
Living in the present means being attentive right where you are and not drifting off into la-la land. It means noticing the snowflakes sparkling as they catch the sunlight, giving your attention to the person talking to you; watching yourself as you do chores. It takes training to be, 'in the moment,' experiencing and enjoying it.
You Are What You Think
Words that we allow ourselves to meditate on will determine how we interpret situations, people, and life. If negative thoughts fill your mind, you will dump negativity and bad energy on those around you. If the words you speak are a deliberate training of your brain, choosing to fill it with positives and affirmations, you will bless all those who know you.
Words have the power to build up or to tear down. The power of words is far reaching!
Our mind is the central processor of words. We have a choice about what we do with the dumped words that hit us. Will we allow words to take up residence in our minds or will we 'kick out' the negative, unproductive thoughts as poison! We do have a choice! We can choose to fill our minds with words of healing and life or misery and death. The evidence of the thoughts we tolerate in our will show up in our personalities and character.
Healthy thinking produces a peaceful, purpose-filled life which includes love, forgiveness, generosity, kindness and all things uplifting and helpful.
Negative and hateful thinking comes out in a person's life that has experienced much pain. The only hope for those entrapped is to REJECT negative thinking with ZERO tolerance.
In theory, it sounds simple but in reality; it takes a lot of practice to catch those 'life leeching' thoughts and words racing through your mind and cast them out. After finding and tossing out negativity it is important to replace the lies with truth-filled, life building words of affirmation.
Hot off the Press ... Help for Victims of Abuse
Words Affect Health
If you grew up in a home that was verbally abusive, the chances that you will develop severe health issues; such as diabetes, obesity, arthritis, heart problems and more are very high.
If you have been the victim of abuse, I recommend you read and heed the information you will discover in the book Scared Sick.
Studies have shown the physical connection between our mind and body. Studies have shown that all the cells of your body are affected by your thoughts.
Many people who have struggled with negative, self-degrading thoughts and feelings have changed their lives by changing their thoughts. The book of Proverbs tells us that "as a man thinks in his heart – so is he."
About 90% of all sickness is the result of the way one processes life. When our negative messages like fear, worry, and stress fill the mind, our body reacts with a multitude of symptoms.
When we fill our minds with words that are pure, right, commendable, honorable and wholesome it breathes life into our very being. It also changes the way we view others and think about ourselves.
God and Words
The Bible is God's written word to us. His words are POWERFUL!
The Bible is the source book for Christian Themed Texts. The Bible is no ordinary piece of literature. No, it is alive and sharper than any two-edged sword. "Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed." Proverbs 12: 19.
There is life in His word and light and truth. Would your life be different if you had a light to guide you, light to reveal pitfalls, a light to give you joy?
- "The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand" Ps. 119:130.
- "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." Psalm 119:105
- "When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God of Heaven's Armies." Jer. 15:16
- "Your words have supported those who were falling; you encouraged those with shaky knees." Job 4:4
Did you know there is instruction, on how to think, found in God's word? God exhorts us on what and how to think:
- "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable." "Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." Phil. 4:6-8
Let me take a moment to lead you into a meditation on this passage in the Bible. In these verses we read that we are to Fix our thoughts - meaning, as an action word, it is something we do. God tells us that we must think about these things:
- things that are true - not lies
- think on what is honorable - not vile
- think on what is right - not rationalizations
- think on what is pure .. not dirty
- think on what is lovely - not distasteful
- think on what is admirable - not contemptible
- think about what is excellent - not inferior and finally
- think about things worthy of praise .. the positive things about yourself, your friends and life.
"May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to you!" Psalm 19:14.
Cultivate Love in Your Own Heart
Learn to love through God's Word. Love is an action we choose, much deeper than a feeling. The Bible teaches us the true meaning of love. Most people have vague ideas about the meaning of love. What is love and how can I find love? God tells us in I Corinthians exactly what the meaning of love is. Some of the verbs God uses are:
- Love is patient
- it is kind
- love is not selfish
- it does not seek to exalt itself
- it does not hold grudges
- love always protects
- never gives up
- love never fails
The secret to finding love is to cultivate LOVE in your own heart. Stop looking for it outside of yourself; you must learn to love yourself first. When loves attributes are within your own heart, you will have eyes of discernment to see the same characteristics in others and attract a person with the ability to love you back.
Words Change Lives
If we want to change our lives from feeling miserable to being at peace, we must confront the way we think. Identify all thoughts that are lies that are negative, condemning, judgmental and nonproductive. I'm not saying ignore the negative, deal with it, confess it and turn from it.
Now begin to replace the lies with words of life found in the Bible given to us by the author of life, God Himself.
"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." Phil. 4:8
Chris Medina Music
What Are Words If You Really Don't Mean Them
This song brings on the tears every time I hear it. It captures the essence of a man's pure devotion to love unconditionally. Chris Medina is a young man who understands the high cost of commitment which real love produces. His fiancée was in an accident and left severely physically challenged - this is a love song to her.
I hope you will not skip this video below. Take a moment to allow these words to impact your heart; it could change your life.
Words Penetrate the Soul
Vocalcoach is a warm and articulate writer here on the hubs. I am always amazed at the way she communicates and touches my heart. She has written a hub called "Words that Penetrate the Soul." In this hub she captured, the influence words have to shape, lift or destroy.
Be sure to watch the Powerful Video on her hub called, "Change Your Words Change the World."
Helps to Study the Bible
RESOURCES
Since I did not come from a Christian home, I determined to learn how to live for Jesus by spending time in His word. In those beginning days, (we only had the King James Version back then) I would sometimes spend hours and hours before I could glean even a nugget of understanding of what God was saying in His word.
Eventually, I began to understand the 'King James' Language and studied my heart out. If you have never read a Bible, let me tell you that you do not have to learn to read old English anymore. I have listed below some Bible translations that are dependable and written for our times.
I also grabbed up any and all the Christian counseling, parenting, husband/wife books I could find to mentor me on building a Christian home. I hope you too will research and grab wisdom to make a difference in your life and all those whose lives you touch.
"Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment." Prov. 4:7