The Power of Your Words

For many years, I played sports, and I loved every minute of it. There were so many things I enjoyed about being part of a team: the camaraderie, the shared goals, the common vision, and, of course, the smack talk.

Whether in the locker room or on the court, one of my favorite parts of team sports was the friendly trash talk. It was all about trying to get under an opponent’s skin and throw them off their game. As a young athlete, I never really stopped to consider the impact my words might have on someone else. After all, I grew up hearing the familiar phrase, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”

Like many children of my generation, I memorized that saying. The problem is that it simply is not true. Words can hurt. Words do hurt. In fact, they can cause deep and lasting wounds.

“The tongue can bring death or life.” Proverbs 18:21a

The Lasting Impact of Words

Over the last three years, I have had the privilege of meeting with many children and at-risk youth who have experienced the destructive power of words. Rather than hearing messages of hope, encouragement, and grace, they have often been defined by criticism, rejection, and negativity. Too many have been told what they cannot do or what they will never become instead of being encouraged to see what they can do and who they can become.

I was blessed to grow up in a family that believed in me, even when I gave them very few reasons to. They looked beyond my mistakes and trusted in God’s redemptive work in my life. My parents, sister, aunts, and uncles were incredible gifts. They were trusted adults who demonstrated that one caring adult truly can change the trajectory of a young person’s life.

Choosing to Speak Life

Every day, we face a choice. We can speak life into a soul, or we can take life from a soul. At Collins, we choose life. We choose hope. We believe in healing, restoration, and second chances. As I often say, at Collins, we are "Hope Dealers."

The words spoken over us in childhood can leave scars, but God, from whom all mercies flow, is able to heal those wounds with His love, grace, and hope.

Be an Elite Encourager

While I am no longer an athlete, I still work out five days a week. I choose to do so in a group fitness class filled with some of the most encouraging people on the planet. I know I will never be an elite athlete, but I can choose to be an elite encourager. I can choose to see the best in others, speak life into them, and help build them up.

My hope is that you will look for opportunities to do the same. To learn more about how you can become a Hope Dealer in our community, call 864-882-0893 or visit collinsfamilyministries.org.