Seen: Healing Despair and Anxiety Through Connection Sample

Speak Life

Our words are powerful. We can be quick to speak life and proclaim truth, but when we first “meet right brain with right brain,” it creates space for truth. Every one of us needs people in our lives speaking life into us, reminding us of what is true, and encouraging us with positive words. Life-giving words are soul builders.

Going back to John chapter 11 when Jesus raises Lazarus from the grave, Jesus didn’t just do a miracle; He showed up, saw those who were hurting, listened, and spoke life! Not just the life-giving words that would ultimately make Lazarus’ body awaken from death, but He spoke words of hope.

Jesus said to Martha, “your brother will rise again.” When Jesus is in it, there is always hope.

Because of the barrage of critical and accusatory voices that echo around us, it’s important to constantly speak affirming words to those who are hurting, in despair, or experiencing anxiety. Our brains need to hear many more life-giving words to counteract the negative ones, due to our natural wiring called negativity bias. The brain is like the stomach in this way. The brain processes negative words like the stomach processes sugar. Quick and straight to our waistlines. While on the other hand, fiber processes slowly, and its benefits are not always immediately seen. Positive words are like that for those in despair and experiencing anxiety. It processes slowly, but they are vital to healing.

Think about the words you speak to yourself and the things you speak to others. Are they filled with life and hope? Or are they filled with negativity?

Remind them:

● You are a child of God (John 1:12).

● You are loved (1 John 4:9).

● You have a purpose (Ephesians 1:9, 3:11).

● You are not alone (Hebrews 13:5).

● You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).

● You are victorious (1 John 5:4).