The Ripple Effect of a Blessing
We often think of our words as small, fleeting things, but they are actually the overflow of our inner lives. When our hearts are filled with God’s peace, our words become a refreshing stream for everyone we encounter. Today, we’re looking at the weight of our words; how to move away from the “polluted water” of cursing and criticism, and into the life-giving habit of blessing others. Join us as we look at why choosing to bless is the most powerful investment you can make in your community today.
In life, would you say you hear more people giving blessing or cursing? Both of these have great potential, one for good and the other for bad. Remember a time when a teacher gave you an encouragement through something that was said to you – that was a blessing and probably spurred you on. Equally, reflect on the impact of a negative comment given to you by a parent, friend or a mere acquaintance – these can be devastating and preoccupy your mind for ages, even leaving permanent scarring. Why do you think so many people curse, use foul language and profane God’s Name?
• ‘I curse too much. I really do. I have a horrible cursing mouth’ – Patricia Richardson
• ‘The spirit of wrath – not the words – is the sin; and the spirit of wrath is cursing. We begin to swear before we can talk’ – Mark Twain
• ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me’ – Anon
• ‘Regardless of what anyone may personally think or believe about him, Jesus of Nazareth has been the dominant figure in the history of western culture for almost twenty centuries… It is from his birth that most of the human race dates its calendars, it is by his name that millions curse and in his name that millions pray’ – Jaroslav Pelikan
When you come to a pure cold mountain stream and taste it, there is a deep refreshment and joy in its purity. The contrast is to come to a polluted water source that smells bad – you know it won’t do you good and wonder if it carries disease. Cholera, dysentery and diarrhoea are all carried by polluted water that can infect whole communities. The image is strong. We should only drink from a reliable source.
• ‘See, I have set before you this day life and good, death and evil… I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life’ – Moses
• ‘When you focus on being a blessing, God makes sure that you are always blessed in abundance’ – Joel Osteen
• ‘To give someone a blessing is the most significant affirmation we can offer’ – Henri Nouwen
• ‘Jabez prayed to the God of Israel: “Oh, that you may truly bless me and extend my boundaries! May your hand be with me and make me free of misfortune, without pain!” And God granted his prayer’ – 1 Chronicles 4:10
Cursing God, others or even your self will not bring those who do this any blessing. Unless a polluted water system is cleansed, it can do nothing other than pollute. If hearts and minds are purified, what flows out of them will bring blessing and honour to God, to others and to self.
• ‘For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned’ – Matthew 12:34-37
• ‘Give, and it will be given to you—a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, overflowing, will be given into your lap. For whatever measure you measure out will be measured back to you’ – Luke 6:38 (TLB)
COVID was a time when many felt cursed. Sickness, fear and even death were widespread. And yet, during this terrible time, some people chose to bless others. Thankfully, we came through that time and this blessing remains as one to reflect on, with the hope that it will spur you on to bless others: The UK Blessing –
For further reading and reflection: https://connect4life.org.uk/c4l-boosters/blessings/
Reflection Question: If you could leave one person in your life with a lasting blessing today, what would you say to them? Take a moment to write it down – or even better, send it to them!
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