This post has been brewing for a couple of weeks. There is so much to unpack, I’m a little jumbled. So I’ll begin there.

As I’ve gone through the process of writing and editing my novel I keep thinking that if I call myself a writer, words should naturally flow onto the page. But I think many a writer would tell me that’s not always the case.

I can picture the way the scene wants to go, but getting the right words to cooperate with my idea is a constant struggle. Just writing that last sentence I’m trying to put on my editing hat and think if I should formulate that sentence backwards—ie: It’s a constant struggle for me to find the right words to fit the way I picture a scene in my head.

And how important is it to get the right words? I’m learning I can belabor the point, writing and rewriting until the cows come home. Or I can accept the fact that I depend heavily on my editor to fix my sentence structure and write what I see happening to the best of my ability, while learning to write better as I continue forward.

Another part of the right words has been thinking about the power of words from God’s perspective.

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.‬‬

John‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT

We know that John is referring to Jesus and the creation story in Genesis chapter 1.

God said and it was.

With God there is so much power in his words that we can trust they are the right words.

“As the snow and rain that fall from heaven do not return until they have accomplished their purpose, soaking the earth and causing it to sprout with new life, providing seed to sow and bread to eat. So also will be the word that I speak; it does not return to me unfulfilled. My word performs my purpose and fulfills the mission I sent it out to accomplish.”‬‬

Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭TPT

I want to go back to my writing here, as I had gained insight into the privilege and responsibility God gives the Christian writer. With the power of words, a writer can create new worlds and new creatures with his imagination and creativity. But we are given a standard as well.

Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.‬‬

Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭29‬ ‭NLT

The next insight I want to share is the right words when it comes to prayer. How many of you get intimidated by someone who prays eloquently and with fervor? Sometimes we hold back our prayers because we feel clumsy with our words.

Mathew 5:6-13 gives us God’s thoughts on prayer—don’t be a spectacle, don’t be prideful, don’t go on and on just repeating yourself. He reminds us the Father knows exactly what we need. Then he says pray like this and gives us a simple example we call The Lord’s Prayer.

We don’t even have to have words if we can’t think of what to say.

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.‬‬

Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭26‬ ‭NLT

So, as I contemplate these things, I realize only God has the right words filled with unmatched power. But we are imitators of Christ and we strive to bring him glory by the words we use.

And in that spirit, I pray the Lord will bless you and encourage you this week to use your words to bless someone.

Grace & Peace,

Sandy

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