by: Victoria Osteen
Speak Into the Lives of Your Family Members
Most of us understand that our words possess the power to
build people up or tear them down. Yet too often, we ignore that truth in the
most important arena of all: our home. It is vital that husbands and wives
speak positively to each other, and especially important that parents speak
positive words into the lives of their children, even in life’s tough spots.
Not long ago, our 9-year-old came home teary-eyed and
told me that his friend’s dog had died. The dog was more that 16 years old and
like a member of the family. After comforting Jonathan in his sadness, I knew I
had a choice. I could commiserate with him and enter into the mourning. Or, I
could help him see the positive side.
“Wow!” I said. “That dog lived a good, long life! I’ll
bet that dog lived so long because he lived in Josh’s house and was surrounded
by love.”
Jonathan’s eyes widened with astonishment. “I’m going to
tell that to Josh!” he said, happy that he had found some words to comfort his
friend.
Women especially can set the tone for their households,
creating with our words and demeanor either a positive or a negative
atmosphere. The Bible says, “A wise woman builds her house, while a foolish
woman tears hers down by her own efforts.” The Scripture says to encourage one
another daily, and one of the best ways a wife and mom can do that is by
speaking positive, encouraging words to her children and her husband.
I constantly tell my family the things I appreciate about
them. God is a rewarder of our faith; it pleases Him when we also “reward” our
family members with praise for their godly behavior, proper use of their
talents and good attitudes.
My husband and I are excited about our relationship with
God, and we love sharing our sense of awe and amazement with our children. We
want our kids to know that living for God is not a grueling grind; it’s an
exciting adventure!
Even when I must discipline our children, I attempt to
remain positive. My goal is to train our children — to teach them rather than
punish them. I try to emphasize what our children are doing right, rather than
focusing on what they have done wrong. Most of all, I reinforce how much I love
them.
Praying with our children is another way of building
positive principles into their lives. Each day, before I drop our kids off at
school, we hold hands and pray for the school, their teachers and friends. I
speak words of blessing over them, telling them, “You have the favor of God.”
And I encourage them to go out and be a blessing to others.
Possibly one of the most important ways a woman can
influence her family is by praying with and for her husband. The positive and
encouraging words you speak over your mate will have an impact on every aspect
of his life — at home and in his career — and will help him to be a spiritual
leader.
Keeping your words consistently positive is a key to
speaking into your family members’ lives. They may not appreciate what you are
saying right now. But the Bible says, “Let us not be weary in well doing: for
in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
If you will help your family find the good in every
situation, in due season, you and your family members will reap the harvest of
your positive, encouraging words.
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