BeCAUSE words are powerful

There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword,

But the tongue of the wise brings healing.

-Proverbs 12:18

You are precious. You are beautiful. You are lovely and dearly loved. You are valuable and destined for great things! Some of you have heard these words all of your lives, and praise God for that blessing! Perhaps words of life were spoken over you daily, and while there will always be those who speak harshly, words of love quickly fill those wounds in your life.

I know, however, that many of you have never had these words spoken over you, and sweet ones, I am so deeply sorry. Please receive these words from me today, written with love especially for you. You are not the sum of your past mistakes. You are a conqueror. You are beautiful! You are more valuable than gold and silver. You are the head and not the tail, above and not beneath. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are worth dying for! You are loved far more deeply and completely than you can even imagine. You are a blessing!

I love encouraging others! Truly it brings me so much joy to stand in the gap for others, sharing their burdens and tears, rejoicing with them in the breakthroughs. What an honor! One of my favorite verses on encouragement is Proverbs 16:24, Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Such sweet truth, oh, that my words may be sweet and healing to others. I know that encouragement may not be one of your quote-un-quote spiritual gifts, but if there is such power in words why would we ever withhold the blessing of touching a life, changing a life forever.

My word for 2012 is courage, and I'm learning to step up and take leaps of courage in all areas of my life. Today, however, I want to enCOURAGE you to speak life over those around you, in your own communities. Be a beacon of light in the darkness. But, don't stop there, take these words of truth and speak them over those in your nation...and even to the ends of the earth. They're powerful, you know!

The A21Campaign provides a beautiful way for you to touch the lives of victims of human trafficking, by writing a letter of encouragement. Please visit this link for more specific information. Be a life-changer. Make a difference. Because everyone should know that they are loved.

Press on, beautiful ones! Be encouraged as you go change the world! xox