Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. [Proverbs 18:21]
Each year I set goals to achieve then at the end of the year I look back at how far I’ve come. I may not succeed one-hundred percent but I marvel at how much I’ve accomplished.
Last year there were several goals but a major one was that I learned how to control my thoughts. I haven't achieved perfection yet at controlling them, but I was quite surprised how well I did. I might start reacting to my thoughts but I quickly discover what is happening then change my thinking. Now fear, sadness and so many other emotions no longer have the control they once did.
Habits are hard to break but not impossible. When trying to break a bad habit it’s easier to start a good one to replace it.
This year is going to be a big year for breaking bad habits. It will be challenging but at the end of the year I will look back proudly at how much I’ve changed and how far I’ve come. One of the big goals this year is to change my words.
Last year I discovered how powerful words are. God created this entire world by speaking it into existence. And He has given us power to use our words for our benefit. Our words decide our future and present. Unfortunately, we have become a culture of speaking lies. As a result our words are no longer powerful.
So this year I plan to start changing the words I speak. I have a few large desires that I believe cannot come true because of these fibs I keep telling myself. They may seem trivial to you but they aren't. I believe my mind is confused as to know if my desires are serious or not. When I have mastered controlling my words, then my mind will believe what I have to say.
For example, I have a terrible habit of saying ‘Tomorrow I’m going to…’ or just 'I'm going to'. I start off good in the morning but I rarely if ever accomplish everything that I wanted to do for that day. I have so many 'I'm going to's' that it's impossible for me to ever accomplish all of them. Thus, I have lied to myself. I do this day after day. So this year I will change those words to ‘tomorrow I hope to...’ Or ‘tomorrow I want to...’ Something that is true.
Another big lie involves words like always, or everyone. “Why do I always do this…” That is a lie too. We don’t always do whatever we are talking about. It would be better speaking the truth. “I really need to.. I wish I wouldn’t…” “I should try to…” By doing this, we have a greater chance of making the change.
Another biggie. 'I'm freezing.' or words like 'I am cold.' or any of the 'I am's' are wrong. When in fact the truth is God is 'I am.' It would be better for me to say 'I feel cold'. 'I wish I felt warmer.'
So many people say ‘I’m dying to…” when in fact that is a lie. They aren’t willing to die for what they say or they won’t die if they don’t do whatever they are talking about. Therefore their words are meaningless and no one believes them. Thankfully, this is one I've learned not to speak.
We don’t realize how our own words and thoughts destroy our desires in life. When we want a good job or something, we often curse ourselves and the possibility of that happening by speaking words like “I’m never going to be good enough.” Or “I won’t find the job I want.” Or “I’m not talented enough.” Or “That will never happen for me.” Then when we sit in an interview those thoughts and words we’ve been speaking to ourselves come out in body movements, the hesitation in the way we answer questions, and so on. We get in the car and start beating ourselves up that we didn’t say this or say that.
Just know this. The words you say can either be a blessing or a curse.
This year I choose not to curse my future. Realistically, I won’t accomplish it one-hundred percent but I will be much further ahead at the end of 2014 than I was at the beginning.
It is a start and a new way of living. This is one habit I will enjoy creating since I believe the results will astound me.
