How Your Words May Be Ruining Your Life

 By Andriea Denise

We’ve all heard the phrases you see what you say and thoughts become things, but not many people completely understand what these sayings really mean. Sure, it’s easy to comprehend the meaning, but to internalize the meaning is something different.

It’s similar to the fact that most people understand that if you eat less, you typically weigh less. But how many people actually eat less because they want to weigh less? Not very many. In fact, even knowing this information, people in the US are reportedly mostly obese.

This is not due to a lack of information or understanding. We learn about the food groups in grade school. We’re told that exercise is good for our bodies. There are millions of diet programs and food tracking apps available to help people to do what they already know.

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So, what is the disconnect? The problem is that our knowledge and habits aren’t in line with each other. We know what should be done, but we are in the habit of doing things that are completely opposite most of the time. If you are interested in changing your life and having more positive experiences on the regular, pay close attention to what I’m about to say.

You might be feeling like no matter how hard you try to get ahead, life seems to come crashing down on you at the worst times. And while we all go through stuff, trials are not constant, and you may be causing some of your hardships without even knowing. 

Have you ever found yourself saying any of the following phrases?

If it ain’t one thing it’s another.

It seems like I just can’t win.

Every time I try to ____, something always happens or gets in the way.

Those are just the cards I was dealt.

I wish I could, but…

I would like to _____, but it’s too late for me.

I’ve always wanted to do that, but I just don’t think it would happen.

If it were gonna happen for me, it would have already happened by now.

I can’t win for losing.

Life sucks.

People like me don’t get opportunities like that.

If you say things like this, you, my friend, may be causing yourself some unnecessary struggle and strain.

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When you speak like this, you are calling less than pleasant experiences into your life. You are welcoming the things you say. This is why the phrase you see what you say exists. The bible says, in Proverbs 18 that “death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” This means that your words are powerful enough to make things happen in reality. 

You should be very careful about what you allow to come out of your mouth, whether you’re speaking about yourself, your life, or someone else. In verse 4 of the same chapter, the scripture says, “the words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.” The Message and Amplified bibles describe this as a man’s words being many, heavy, muddy, destructive, like a flood. But godly knowledge, wisdom is like clean, living, flowing spring waters. 

Now, just imagine. Would you rather be caught up in a flood of dirty water, destroying everything in its sight? Or would you prefer to wade in flowing spring water, where you can drink and be nourished, even cleaned? Most people would prefer the latter. In order to start experiencing more pleasant situations in your life, you have to change the way you speak. 

And yes, in order to change the way you speak, you have to change the way you think. Your mind is where thoughts are formed before they come out of your mouth. 

Here are some ways you can work to change the habit of saying things you don’t want to experience.

1. Start monitoring your thoughts.
2. Refuse to allow negative thoughts to exit your lips.
3. Try to find a different, more positive way to see things.
4. When trying situations occur, remember that God said, “many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivers him out of them all.” (Psalms 34:19)
5. Say what you’d prefer to happen, rather than what you’re feeling at times when things are rough.
6. Hold onto the hope that things will eventually be better.

It is God’s will that we live abundant lives. He wants us to be happy, healthy, and hopeful. If you’ve been feeling down, take a look at His promises to us. Stop looking around at your circumstances, and start looking up at Jesus. He came that we “might have life, and that [we] have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10) You see, before Jesus, people were living miserable lives. They were condemned every day by their thoughts, words, and actions. But Jesus came so that we could be free, and live fulfilled lives.

Do yourself a favor, and stop speaking negatively over your life. God wants better for you. Start speaking positively, and watch things turn around for you.