After my husband, Joe, and I had finished grocery shopping the other day, we headed for our SUV in the store parking lot. Joe got to the car before I did, and as he finished loading our groceries, he went to close the hatch. Unfortunately, I came around to the back of the car just as Joe was pulling the door down, and it struck me on the head. As I felt a sudden explosion of intense pain inside my head, in a split second of time, the Spirit of God reminded me of a powerful teaching that I had heard years before. It said that the very first words that come out of our mouth when trouble strikes can greatly affect our outcome. So the first words that I spoke in that instant were, "Nothing shall by any means injure me," based on Jesus' promise in Luke 10:19. And I began thanking God for His faithfulness to His Word. My husband immediately began blaming himself and apologizing for hurting me, but I reassured him that I was fine, and that it was in no way his fault. I knew that it was important for me to avoid getting into strife, and to only speak words of life. As soon as we arrived home, I put ice on my head, and by the end of the night, I felt fine. But I knew that the outcome could have been so much worse if I hadn't bridled my tongue when the accident first happened.

The Bible cautions: "The one who guards his mouth [thinking before he speaks] protects his life; the one who opens his lips wide [and chatters without thinking] comes to ruin." (Proverbs 13:3 AMP) Thinking before we speak can protect our health and our lives. When we speak without thinking, we can literally do ourselves harm. Proverbs 21:23 says, "Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity." Why are our words so powerful? Because we are created in the image of God, and our words have authority on this earth. The Bible reveals this truth over and over. Scripture says, "You will also declare a thing, and it will be established for you." (Job 22:28 NKJV) This principle is true in the negative, as well as in the positive sense. When trouble strikes and we declare something like, "This will be the end of me!" we could be "establishing" our own demise.

If we are wise, we will always remember that our words have consequences. Proverbs 18:21 (AMP) bears this out when it says: "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words." Today, and every day, let us pray as David the shepherd-king did: "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!" (Psalm 141:3 NKJV)

Prayer: Lord, guard me from speaking without thinking, and help me to always speak words of life, health, and well-being. When trouble strikes, remind me that the first words out of my mouth can greatly affect my outcome, and help me to resist speaking negatively about my situation. Thank You that as I choose my words carefully, and declare good things over my life, Your blessings will be established for me!