The Secret Of The Purpose Driven Shack (or Why Words Shape The World)
“Words have more power than atom bombs” – Pearl Strachan
Words are powerful. They have the power to build empires, and to destroy lives. They have the power to shape the direction of our lives. Just think on the words which move you most:
“I love you”
“You’re beautiful”
“You aren’t alone”
or conversely, cause great damage
“You are worthless”
“I hate you”
“You’re ugly”
Words are powerful. Without question. The messages fed to me growing up, “You’re not good enough”, “You’re a loser”, still deeply impact me to this very day. And words from others: “You’re awesome”, “I’m your biggest fan” & “Help me with my writing”, have served to give me great confidence, and make me the the writer I am. As I reflected on this, the power of words was again brought home to me – words have been the source of my greatest achievements, but have also created the deepest wounds.
Words shape us, define our very identity. For good or ill. (you can tweet that here).
And thus, words shape the world.
The messages we are fed all throughout our lives impact how we view ourselves, how we interact with others and the life we end up living.
Why is encouragement important? Because encouragement makes the best use of words. Telling someone the truth about themselves at the moment they need to hear it, in the way they need to hear it. It’s a gift which has the potential to change the world.
I don’t say that lightly. Encouragement can be like a small stone thrown in a still pond. It creates ripples which can go on and on. If we choose to use our words for good, to serve those we know and love, to be truthful with them and point them to who they can be, their lives will change, and consequently, the lives of those they know.
And in time, person by person, the world discovers its true identity.
This is the power of words.
It’s the responsibility I carry as a writer. But it’s a responsibility we all have. We all have words to share with world, whether we’re writers or not. We all shape the world with our words. So let’s make our words worthwhile.
I want my words to help shape people into the people God made them to be. It’s what all my writing is for, and this blog and blog community is about.
It’s what we’re all called to do. Use our gifts to help others become the people God created them to be – what I like to call ‘divinely human’. And to become divinely human ourselves. This week on the blog we’ll be exploring this more – in interviews, MP3’s and guest posts. I hope you’ll join me.
So let’s begin today.
Are you with me?
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Words change the world. This is where I use mine to serve you. I hope you’ll join up and come on this journey with me.
Hi James, Good article and you are quite right about words…they have the power to build up or tear down, but the title doesn’t make any sense to me at all. A shack is a ramshackled dwelling…how can it be purpose driven? and there are lots of Christian book that use ‘purpose driven’, be careful about copyright and plagarism,
Thanks Marc – the idea of the title was that it’s a play on words of several well known books, and I’m certain I’m not plagarising any of them. It was a kind of light hearted look at the power of the words – with the ‘serious’ title as the ‘or’. But glad you agreed with the post itself!
James, nice new look for the blog! What an important message for us to watch what we say, we never truly know the impact
Thanks Christa, really appreciate your comment and encouragement. Glad you like the new look to the blog too!
To think our Creator made the world and everything using words is amazing. God didn’t have to use words, but He did. And He’s God. Something to think about isn’t it!
I know, it’s amazing. Great comment Jim!
James, I enjoyed your post and it inspires me to write. Thanks. I loved the title, too.
Hey Terrie, thanks for the comment – glad the post inspired you to write, and thanks for the kind words about the title. I liked it too. 🙂
Our words can speak things into and out of existence. I’m convinced. Great post James!
Thanks LisaJey, glad the post resonated with you – glad you agree, and thanks for the encouragement.
Excellent, excellent post and beautifully conveyed, James. Don’t be surprised if I quote you on multiple social networks. Psalm12:18 comes to mind: There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Parents, be wise.
Thanks so much for the incredible encouragement Elise, really appreciate your kind words. Feel free to quote me on as many social networks as you like (link back to the blog if you can). So glad the post resonated with you so much. Appreciate your comments and totally agree on the Psalm too.
Words are probably the most powerful weapon in the world. In the mouth of an unwise person, they can be very hurtful. Even a parent’s simple “Are you stupid?” when looking at a report card has consequences.
Absolutely Bob, totally agree. Glad the post resonated with you, thanks for commenting!
This is so true, words have the power to heal or to destroy, choose carefully!
Absolutely Tara, couldn’t agree more!
[…] Yesterday I talked about how words shape us for either good or ill, and also shared about my free e-books “5 Steps to Encouragement” & “Reflections on Encouragement” (both of which you can get free by filling in the form below). […]
In the beginning was the word… As Jim states God chose words to put the universe together. Wow. We have a choice to build others up as well.
Absolutely Troy – so true. Thanks for the encouragement, and for your wise words. Appreciate it.
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[…] The Secret of the Purpose Driven Shack (Or Why Words Shape the World) […]
Keep saying it James! Over and over, winning one convert at a time! We are to use our words to build up, encourage, and comfort! It reminds me of two scriptures I try to live by in Proverbs- “the power of life and death is in the tongue” and Prov. 31- “the law of kindness is on her tongue” also- have you heard the new song Words? I believe with all my heart- God is using you and your words to change this world!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5V8_k70KnI
Wow, thank you so much Cindy. Probably one of the most encouraging things I’ve ever heard, ever. And this song encapsulates what God is saying to me now, and what my mission is all about.
No words can convey how humbled, moved and thankful I am for this. Thank you so much.
Words are so powerful. People must be very careful what they put on paper because they can never be taken back… good post.
Thanks Elyse – I believe strongly in the power of words, really glad the post resonated. Thanks for commenting, it means a lot.
Great post, James.
Thanks Bud, appreciate it.
Too often we forget how powerful our words are.
Absolutely Rebekah, thanks so much.
So True James. We all need to be aware of the power of our words and encourage others. Life is hard enough, we all need an encouraging word, and those words never grow old. This is a powerful testimony, may God continue to use you and bless your work!
Totally agree Tara – and thanks for the encouragement, really appreciate it.