While crossing over the planks of life into adulthood, as enthusiastic teens of this generation, you will embark upon opportunities that have the potential to revolutionize the world. It starts with a word – a word fitly spoken. Although you may feel like you are often overlooked or seldom noticed, you can see what others cannot see. You can hear the shout of a word never spoken and the silence of a resounding shout. With words, you have formed an image of you – a perception of the world is developed. Words hurt, they can help, they form, and they transform. If this is not true, then motivational speakers would be broke because their words would have no substance and the pages of every book would be blank.
According to the bible, the earth was formed by words. It still holds true today. You have heard the saying: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Nothing is further from the truth. Words hurt. Think about the strategy of a bully. They strike with their words then advance to the next stage of physical intimidation, right? How do you feel when someone tells you that you are pretty or handsome or that your haircut is nice? You think of ways to enhance the compliment even more. What if someone tells you that your nose is big or that you have large feet? Well, you will think of endless ways to compensate by trying to disguise or cover it up. What you say to others can impact their life in ways you never dreamed of. What is said to you can forever change how you perceive things.
As a teen, you may long for a word of encouragement that will offer you hope in the fast-paced, demanding world we live in. If you would like to hear something nice, you may need to say something nice to someone who needs to hear it. If you would like a friend, you must initiate a friendship with a conversation or a smile. It’s not as hard as you may imagine. With each step you take, the next becomes that much easier. Before you know it, you will have mastered a skill that even adults have not mastered! Allow your words to build up confidence and administer hope, not tear down and destroy.
