Kim's Journey to Joy

Do you ever replay something said to you years ago? It brings back all the emotions all over again.

Maybe it was a teacher who told you, “You’ll never amount to anything.” Or maybe a parent who said to you, “I’m so proud of you!” It’s incredible how words can stay with us for years.

Words of affirmation are the love language for some people (especially me). A compliment, encouraging text, notes received in the mail all fill my heart in the same way that gifts or quality time might fill someone else’s heart. Conversely, any words of criticism, harsh comments, teasing that doesn’t feel kind, or even silence (the lack of words) all leave wounds that last seemingly forever.

Absolutely—here’s a smoother version that keeps your warm, conversational voice while making the point a little more powerfully:

Words also carry power in the tone in which they are spoken. Think about the simple phrase, “I love you.” When those words are spoken in a sweet, gentle voice, they feel sincere, comforting, and believable. But imagine those same three words being shouted in a harsh or angry tone. The words haven’t changed, but the message certainly has.

A great example of this can be seen in popular children’s programming, where a host speaks to babies and young children using a warm, animated, almost sing-song voice. Babies may not understand every word being spoken, but they are captivated by the tone, facial expressions, and warmth behind the words. Long before they understand language, they understand how a voice makes them feel.

The same is true for us as adults. People don’t just hear the words we say—they experience the way we say them. Our tone can communicate love, patience, encouragement, irritation, judgment, or anger before the meaning of our words ever fully registers.

That’s why being mindful of our speech means paying attention to more than just what we say. We also need to consider how we say it. Sometimes the tone behind our words speaks even louder than the words themselves.

God understands the power of our words and speaks to this repeatedly in Scriptures. Proverbs 18:21 tells us that “death and life are in the power of the tongue. The book of James relates the tongue to a tiny spark that can set an entire forest ablaze. Words can build, restore hope, and strengthen relationships, or they can discourage, divide, and destroy.

What king of power are we choosing to release each day?

Hopefully your journey to joy will include giving and receiving words of affirmation that will lead to healing because:

Hope leads to healing.
Healing leads to peace.
Peace makes room for joy.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13 ESV)