Your Words
Did you know there is great power in the words you speak? And that the words you choose to speak can facilitate good or evil in the world? That’s right, your words can work for God and do his will, or they can serve the Evil One’s desire. The choice is up to you. Each and every one of us has the power to bless or to curse right inside of our mouth. In light of this, do you choose your words with intention and purpose? Or, do you tend to let your words run out of your mouth before giving them any thought? It is my hope that my reflection today will help you sing and speak words of praise so your heart can experience the joy Christ desires for you!
Regret
Have you ever spoken words that you later regretted? Words that hurt or wounded another – or even yourself? Since you are reading this reflection, I will safely assume that you are a human being who is in need of forgiveness and salvation – it’s the human condition after all. In light of this, I am also going to assume you have said and done things you later regretted, another part of being human. Remember, we are sinful people, living in a sinful world, and we will say and do things that are not in alignment with God’s plan for our life. However, regret is a tool of the Evil One and it need not have any power over you my friend.
Praise Him
Paul tells us today that we “might exist for the praise of his (the One) glory,…” For those of us who choose to live in Christ we have a beautiful destiny – we will praise God for all eternity. Such praise is one of the many gifts we receive when we accept God’s invitation of love – and the invitation is open to all his children. Each and every one of us are invited to work with Jesus Christ and help him accomplish what he came to earth to accomplish – the Father’s will.
And what is the Father’s will? God desires that we praise him for all eternity. From such true praise every good thing will follow. We will participate in social justice, we will practice kindness, we will honor God above all else and we will walk humble with him. Yes, we will live, we will love, and we will experience the internal joy Jesus so desires to give us.
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. – John 15:11 (RSVCE)
Let’s Imagine For a Moment
Can you imagine what the world would look like if all the people of the earth began praising God today – at this very moment? Real praise, where we honor God and we honor the Christ inside each and every one of us. What would happen in the United States if each of its citizens only spoke words of love, praise, and of kindness – immediately? What impact would this have on the world? I dare say that the world would change in an instant and we would witness a blossoming of Christ love our hearts have never imagined. All nations would be blessed.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!
The Lord looks down from heaven,
he sees all the sons of men;
from where he sits enthroned he looks forth
on all the inhabitants of the earth – Psalm 33: 12 – 14 (RSVCE)
If today’s Psalm is not enough to encourage us to use our words wisely we can look to the words of Jesus in today’s Gospel. Jesus tells us that everything hidden will be revealed, nothing will remain a secret – including the words we utter.
Whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. – Luke 12:3 (RSVCE)
From here Jesus goes on to warn us of whom we should truly fear – the Evil One. The one who has the power to cast us into Gehenna, who by the way, is also the one who continually entices us to speak wards that harm ourselves and others. So how can we make a change?
Let’s Begin With Our Words
It is important to realize that your words first began as a thought inside your head, thoughts that came together as a result of the many live experiences you have had over the years – beginning in your childhood up until now. Given that modern science now estimates that 95% of your behavior, including your spoken words, arise from your subconscious mind you would do well to address the impetus of your words and the source of our thoughts. In order to do this successfully, we must do what we can to align our thoughts with the mind of Christ. When we do this we will join in the chorus of angels who continually offer praise to God.
In chapter 2 of my book Understanding The Jesus Code, I offer tips on creating healthy, life giving thoughts. Please allow me to share a portion of it here.
Reprogramming Tips
Modern science has revealed that there exists a window of time when your subconscious mind is highly susceptible to suggestion. Since your subconscious mind is the part of your mind that controls about 95 percent of your behavior, this is a big deal. Yet many individuals fill this period of time with doomsday information that will cause them to fret and worry even when there is nothing to fret or worry about.
So when is this magical moment? Well, it’s the last ten minutes before you fall asleep. Whatever information you exposed yourself to during this time, your subconscious mind will continue to process it for the next four to five hours. So let’s use this time to your fullest benefit! Here are a few recommendations I offer my clients:
- Read and meditate on scripture before bed.
- Read uplifting books before sleep, stories of human triumph.
- Read books on the Catholic saints and other church leaders.
- Pray a Rosary or a Chaplet of Divine Mercy—make sure you offer it up with an uplifting intention. If you fall asleep during prayer, simply pick up the next day or in the morning where you left off or ask your guardian angel to finish it for you.
- If you must watch TV (which I generally advise against), make sure it is uplifting programming.
- Avoid watching the news and other late-night shows (before bed or any other time) like the plague. Few people are mentally and spiritually strong enough to handle such media. If you really need to know something, someone will tell you about it.
- Create a healthy sleep routine so when you slip into bed, it feels like an escape from the world.
- Using essential oils and restful sounds can be very helpful.
- Do not eat or work on your computer while in bed. Reserve your bed for sleeping.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts during sleep.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. – Romans 12:2 (RSVCE)
I hope you find your way home towards Jesus Christ – the one who is love himself. May you speak and think words of love, forgiveness and mercy as you sing and praise of God’s glory! – Carolyn
Sacred Heart of Jesus – have mercy on us.
Mother Mary – pray for us.
Saint Paul – pray for us.
Today’s Readings Ephesians 1:11-14, Psalm 33; Luke 12:1-7
