Something happened recently that reminded me that words are powerful and how we use them can trigger powerful emotions in others.

I came home one evening after my birthday and our girls, as usual, ran to the door to hug me excitedly. I hugged them back and I immediately ran up the stairs. 

There’s someone in this house that I haven’t hugged, who might that be? I said. 

Our 5-year-old, instantly replied ‘I know! You’re looking for your wife.’ 

I stopped briefly and wondered how she captured that moment with the right words. I was indeed looking for my wife. 

Idara (my wife) burst out laughing when she heard what our daughter said. That laugh revealed her location.

Our daughter could have said you’re looking for mummy, which would still be right, but less impactful. 

Words can intensify the emotions we feel… good or bad. 

Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim (Proverbs 15:4 MSG)

Words can spur us to action or cripple us to inaction. 

Henry Kirk was fired from Google last year with a ‘cold’, impersonal email. He then wrote his version of what a dismissal email could be like. 

The difference? The words!

I read recently that ‘people have needs and thus assign value to the people who meet them.’

Encouraging words is a critical need for people in our world today. 

Become one of the valuable people who share encouraging works with others this year. I am signing up to that. 

This year is all about ‘Growth’ for me and I will be encouraging you to grow this year. 

How do you become a wordsmith even if you are not good with words? 

1. Genuinely care for people. The right words will come easier when you understand others. 
2. Leave people better than when they encounter you. Practice saying kind things.
3. Pray to God to give you a ‘word in season’ for others.