By Karma Christine Salvato
Staff Writer
Have you ever received a completely unprompted compliment that made your whole entire day?
I know I have. In fact, about two weeks ago I received five compliments in one day.
That’s right, five. It was spectacular. And most of those compliments came from total strangers. They ranged from the mere superficial, to ones with more depth. It is amazing how much of an affect words can have. And kind, honest words could truly change the outcome of someone’s attitude for that day.
Whether it is a friend or a stranger, if you have a compliment that crosses your mind share it instead of selfishly holding it hostage. It just might be what someone needs to lift their spirit.
In addition to the occasional compliment you share with friends, loved ones and strangers, it is important to also always watch what words we use when talking with others. We must be especially watchful when we share emotions, frustrations or feelings of hurt and anger.
Words have power. They have the capacity to touch someone deeply. That is why it is so necessary to think before we speak.
Everyone perceives things differently, therefore you may not realize that you have offended or hurt someone. It takes years to establish our self-esteem, but it could all be destroyed in a matter of moments because of one careless comment.
Going a step further, the words we say to ourselves are sometimes worse than those said to others. Self-deprecation must stop and negative thoughts need to be captured.
“If Satan can get you to believe a lie, he can control your life,” Neil T. Anderson stated in “Victory Over The Darkness: Realizing the Power of Your Identity in Christ.” “If you fail to take a thought captive to the obedience of Christ, but believe it, Satan will control you.”
If we constantly speak negative words toward ourselves we will be left empty and broken. We need to compliment ourselves more often than we do and encourage ourselves before we can encourage others and give them compliments. While receiving compliments from others is wonderful, we can’t depend on them to validate self-worth — that validation must come from within.
Our psyche can be altered tremendously if the wrong words are spoken, or even thought. They can shape who we become or demolish who we already are.
Can you recall a time in your life when someone said something either negatively or positively that affected you right at the core of your being? Does it still affect you to this day?
“… But no man can tame the tongue,” James 3:8 says. “It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”
Words can hurt, hinder, help and heal. They can destroy, provoke, motivate or inspire. Words can be beneficial or detrimental. They sometimes have more profound influence than we even realize, and that is why we must make a constant effort to consider what we say before we say it. We should be building up our brothers and sisters in Christ, not tearing them down.
Choose your words wisely. What you end up saying today could change someone’s life forever.
—Know the power of words? E-mail Karma Christine Salvato at PrancingPen@aol.com.
March 13, 2003
