Another Use for a Thesaurus

How are things going for you today? Before you answer too quickly, remember:

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” ~ Prov 18:21

Knowing the importance of speaking words of life, you may hesitate at times to find a positive answer.

It is important to be truthful, and when you are in pain, to pour out your complaint to the Lord. However, optimism can become a habit as surely as pessimism.

Got a Thesaurus?
Here is an idea recently passed on to me from a friend. You may have a thesaurus on your bookshelf, or in your word-processing program, but if not, there are several online such as http://thesaurus.reference.com.

Although most of us usually reach for a thesaurus to find synonyms, it is also a terrific resource for finding a rich list of antonyms. By looking up the negative descriptive word for how things in your life appear to be going, you will find a list of opposite words and phrases to pray and declare over your circumstances with proclamations of faith.

Partner with God
Speaking words of hope and courage will make you feel better, adjust your attitude, and set you on the right course. Partner with “God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist”. (Rom 4:17)

Note that God does not call what IS, but what is NOT.

The KJV reads “God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.”

God calls the dead into life and what does not exist into being. So call for what you want to see, rather than underscore what you do see.

“If you want to get rid of the cat, call the dog!”

 

For example, rather than stay in “despair”, you can choose to speak uplifting words: “I anticipate, expect, have faith and hope for the promised blessings of God today in my life!”

Add a verse or promise of Scripture, making it personal:
“I hold fast the confession of my hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;” (Heb 10:23)

Another example:
“Instead of being down, I say that I am animated, blissful, cheered, delighted, ecstatic, elevated, enchanted, enraptured, euphoric, exalted, excited, exhilarated, exultant, fired up, flying high, gleeful, in heaven, in high spirits, in seventh heaven, joyful, joyous, jubilant, looking good, on cloud nine, overjoyed, proud, roused, set up, and transported!”

That stirs me up!

Add a personalized verse:
“For this momentary, light affliction is producing for me an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while I look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Cor 4:17-18)

You are who He says you are, and you can do what He says you can do! Goodness and mercy follow you today!