Affirm

Affirm

The word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

MY DAD IS a words-of-affirmation person. He’s good with hugs and helping around the house, too, but he’s particularly intentional with his words.

Just the other day, he was telling me how much he likes to read my writing; how it sometimes brings him to tears. For as long as I can remember, he’s been saying words to the same effect: “You’re a great writer.” When I was a child, he’d follow it up with the question, “When am I going to read your first book?”

What’s always struck me—more than the words themselves—is the intent behind them. I’ve always loved writing, but what I really heard when he spoke was, You can do whatever God has called you to do.

Words have the power to create worlds. They have life. My dad’s words were powerful to me because they dared to speak into existence a secret dream I’d always held. They took my doubts and transformed them into the confidence I needed to pursue my dreams. On my best days, his words were affirming. But on my worst days, they were a lifeline.

Just like my dad’s words, the Bible is a life-giving, affirming message from another Father. It’s often referred to as logos, the Word of God, and that seems appropriate considering its ability to transform our lives. The Word of God can convict us, yes—removing the harmful growths of sin and death that can grow in our lives if left unchecked—but it also encourages us. Throughout Scripture, God promises us that he loves us, that he desires to be in relationship with us, that he’s just and good and merciful. And like my dad’s encouraging words, those are lifelines we can hold on to when hard days come.

The Word of God has the power to transform our hearts, our minds, and our actions. Like any true conversation between a father and his child, it isn’t a lecture or a monologue—it’s interactive. Let’s recognize the affirming power of the Word of God to teach, encourage, and change us for the better.

Lord, thank you for the gift of your Word. May we join the conversation. Amen.

-Kristin

One Good Step: First, spend time thanking God for the ways in which his Word has affirmed you. Next, choose to affirm someone else today by speaking words of life and hope to them.