Affirming Others

The Life-Giving Power of Genuine Affirmation

By Joni Eareckson Tada

Sometimes the Bible asks an awful lot of us. Take Jesus’ words in Matt. 12:36, “I tell you that everyone will have to give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.” One day we’ll have to explain our every word! Obviously God places a great deal of importance on what we say—words have a curious power to make living things wither and die, or bring dead things to life. As it says in Prov. 18:21, “The tongue has the power of life and death.”

We women possess such incredible power–all in what we say. It’s something I’ve especially learned being a quadriplegic married to my strong, able-bodied husband. I may not be able to whip up an omelet for him or rub his back, but I can honor and uplift him with words that give life, hope, and encouragement. It’s what I do every day with Ken. I will tell him, “Ken, thank you for going to visit that neighbor who has cancer… that was a thoughtful thing to do.” Or, “Ken, I’m so grateful you’re a man of prayer–God bless you for always taking the lead and inviting people to pray. Good for you!”