“If you say, ‘The LORD is my refuge…’” — Psalm 91:9
On March 15, 2018, I sat down in a dental chair to have a chipped tooth prepared for a crown. As I settled into the chair, one thought kept running through my mind:
“I really don’t need this expense right now.”
Then I quietly prayed, “God, can we talk?”
Immediately, I sensed Him say, “Sure. What do you want to talk about?”
Without hesitation I thought, “I want to talk about all my problems.”
Just as quickly, He answered,
“Why… when we can talk about all My promises?”
His gentle question stopped me in my tracks.
How often do we spend our conversations talking about our problems instead of God’s promises? How often do our words magnify our mountains instead of magnifying our God?
That day the Lord reminded me that our words matter.
Today you have a choice, and so do I.
Not just in what we do—but in what we say.
Throughout the day our mouths are constantly moving. We speak to our spouses, our children, our coworkers, our friends, and even to ourselves. The question is: What are we saying?
Our words can build up or tear down. They can encourage faith or feed fear. They can give hope or spread discouragement.
God Himself chose words to create the world.
“Let there be light.”
And there was light.
His words brought light into darkness, order into chaos, and life where there had been nothing.
While our words do not create as God’s words do, they are still powerful. They shape the atmosphere of our homes, our relationships, our churches, and even our own hearts.
Is there darkness around you? Speak God’s light.
Is your family struggling? Speak God’s promises over them.
Is fear trying to overwhelm you? Speak God’s truth instead of your feelings.
I believe many churches today are struggling, not because God has changed, but because too often we tear down with our words instead of building up. When we constantly criticize leaders, complain about decisions, or spread discouragement, we weaken the very body Christ died to establish.
What if we spent as much time praying for our leaders as we do talking about them? What if our churches became known as places where people encouraged one another instead of criticizing one another? I believe our churches would become even stronger places of refuge.
Jesus often used the words, “If you say…”
Listen carefully to what He said:
“Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.” (Mark 11:23)
Two words stand out to me in this verse:
Whoever and whatever.
Whoever means every one of us. No one is left out.
Whatever means no mountain is too big for God.
So let me ask you…
What are you saying?
Are your words making your mountains seem bigger?
Or are your words reminding you that your God is bigger than your mountains?
Instead of repeating your problems all day long, begin repeating God’s promises.
Say things like:
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
“My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory.”
“I trust in the Lord with all my heart.”
“No weapon formed against me and my family shall prosper.”
“All things work together for good because I love God and am called according to His purpose.”
“If God is for me, who can be against me?”
“God will never leave me nor forsake me.”
“The God of hope fills me with all joy and peace as I trust in Him.”
“With God all things are possible.”
When God’s Word becomes your words, your faith grows stronger.
The enemy wants you to rehearse your problems.
God invites you to rehearse His promises.
That doesn’t mean we pretend our problems don’t exist. It means we choose to give God’s truth a louder voice than our circumstances.
Search God’s Word every day until His promises become the language of your heart.
Your little words can make a very big difference.
Will you speak faith or fear?
Hope or hopelessness?
Truth or lies?
Jesus simply said,
“If you say…”
What will you say today?
Prayer
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for Your powerful Word that is living, active, and full of truth. Thank You for reminding us that our words matter. Forgive us for the times we have focused more on our problems than on Your promises. Forgive us for the careless words we’ve spoken over ourselves, our families, our churches, and others.
Teach us to fill our hearts with Your Word so that Your truth naturally flows from our mouths. When fear comes, help us speak faith. When discouragement comes, help us speak hope. When our mountains seem impossible, remind us to speak Your promises instead of magnifying our problems.
Help us encourage others with our words, pray faithfully for our leaders, bless our families, and declare Your goodness every day. May our words always agree with Your Word and bring glory to Your name.
Thank You for being our Refuge, our Strength, and our ever-present Help in times of trouble. We choose today to trust You, believe You, and speak Your promises over every area of our lives.
In the precious and powerful name of Jesus we pray.
