What Do You Say To Your Children?

Your children will provoke you once in a while, be sure of that. In anger, you may lash out at them the very first words that come to your mind. But before you do, pause. Think of the consequences of what you are about to say. Know this, that death and life are in the power of the tongue and those who love it will eat its fruits (Proverbs 18:21). Your words over your children can have great influence over their lives. So don't abuse that position but use it as the child's parent to speak good into your child's life. Many parents have spoken wrongly to their children and ended up destroying the destinies of their own... in anger. That's how powerful your words can be. Imagine a parent telling her growing child:
"You will never amount to anything!"
"Stupid boy! You are an abomination and a curse."
"Crazy girl!"
"Fool!"
"You are a bad child!"
Sometime ago, my little girl was being so fussy. She whimpered all day and I hated it. Her cries and demands were unending. I got so angry that I blurted out at her, "Shut up or I will beat your so hard you will regret your life!" Automatically, I knew in my spirit that I had said something wrong to her. Immediately, I asked the Lord to forgive me.
"Lord, I'm sorry. I take those words back", and I believe HE heard. Even a statement as common as, "What is wrong with you?" , has a snag to it. Nothing should be 'wrong' the child GOD has given you. So instead of saying that, why not say,"What is right with you?"
Instead of "You will never amount to anything", say "You will surely amount to something." So instead of angrily throwing negative comments at your child, stop yourself, swallow and deliberately say the positive. The same energy you dispense in calling them names and speaking negativity into their spirits is also what you use when you speak the positive. So why not maximize that moment and instead 'angrily' speak good into their lives each time. In that way, with constant practice, even when you are provoked, you don't allow your anger take hold of you at the cost of your child's future. As a parent, your words, be it a blessing or a curse have great spiritual impact in the life of your growing child. So, choose your words and use them well.
I have an attitude of speaking words of blessing over my children whether they are awake or asleep.I just lie beside them and declare,

"You are a Wonder to your generation. You are not an accident because you were born for a purpose. You will live and serve GOD alone. Satan has no portion with you. You belong to Jesus. Your future will be great. Your life is beautiful. Before you were conceived you have been given to the LORD. The Lord bless you and make you a blessing. You will grow tall, strong and wise, in favor of God and of men. You will stand before kings and not mean men. Open doors shall be your life experience. You will live and not die because the covenant you have with God is that of life and peace..." and I will keep going on and on and on, doing it as often as I can. I really enjoy this because I know what those words are doing to them. It shapes them. Like sweet honey those words drip and their spirits absorb them! Why not try it today and watch your children grow into a glorious future. Your words do matter...