About This Love Online

Let’s talk about the power of words and how they can significantly influence us, both positively and negatively. We often underestimate just how impactful our words and the words of others can be. This realization led me to reflect on a personal story that I’ve shared before, but it’s worth revisiting.

Years ago, I aspired to study audio production. However, financial constraints wouldn’t allow me to follow my passion. Or so I thought. One day, a mentor pulled me aside and gave me life-changing advice: “If you want to become an audio engineer, utilize free resources like YouTube, invest in gear, and learn through practice.”. Inspired by his words, I became dedicated to self-learning all I could about audio engineering. Fast forward ten years, and here I am, an audio engineer running a business with my wife Charel. This experience taught me that sometimes, all we need is a little push from someone who believes in us.

The Bible underscores this idea in Proverbs 18, stating that “the power of life and death lies in the tongue” and that we both bless and curse with the same mouth. Now that I’m older, I no longer allow negative words to dictate my life. If someone speaks words of discouragement or negativity, I counter them with positivity and faith.

During this discussion, Charel mentioned to me how she’s been reflecting on how during the challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic, we found joy in simple activities like skating and collecting records. These hobbies, along with the encouraging words from loved ones, helped us stay positive. I couldn’t have agreed with her more.

Words have a profound impact on us. I’ve had days where someone’s negativity tried to bring me down and I let it, but I’ve learned not to entertain such negativity. Instead, I focus on maintaining a positive outlook through prayer and meditation because the Bible instructs us to do so, “8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8 NIV

There was a time before my wife and I met, she sought advice about marriage from other women. Some of their words were discouraging towards marriage, reflecting their own negative experiences. However, Charel chose not to let their words define her reality. She believed in God’s redemption, a fresh start if you will, and saved herself for marriage, despite others telling her it wasn’t possible after having a child. This decision was crucial in shaping her life and our relationship.

When my wife shared this powerful testimony with me it reminded me that people often project their insecurities and fears onto others, influencing them negatively. I’ve taken notice to those I’ve encountered who think on the pure and admirable aspects of their lives. To me, their positivity never fails to radiate, and it becomes infectious.

It’s vital to recognize when advice is coming from a place of hurt rather than a place of love and encouragement. When someone is genuinely happy and positive, their words reflect that, offering constructive and uplifting guidance. This is why it’s important to discern whose advice to take to heart. Constructive criticism is valuable, but constant negativity isn’t. Surrounding ourselves with positive influences and focusing on our growth helps us overcome the negative words and opinions of others.

Just because someone had a negative experience doesn’t mean we will too. We should listen to advice but also judge it against our own values and experiences. By focusing on positive words and influences, we can shape our lives for the better. Life and death truly lie in the power of the tongue, and by choosing life-affirming words, we can create a positive and fulfilling life.

As we wrap up this discussion on the profound impact of words and the importance of positive influences, we want to hear from you. Have you ever experienced the power of someone’s words in your life, either positively or negatively? How do you handle negative comments or advice from others? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below. Let’s continue this conversation and learn from each other’s journeys. And if you found this article helpful, please share it with your friends and family!