Jason Nelson’s worship song, Shifting the Atmosphere, declares that our worship breaks chains and shifts the atmosphere. Let’s talk about the power of words.

Words create

The words we speak out create an atmosphere whether we want it to or not. Words were the precursor to the creation- God said, “let there be light” and there was light. Words are seeds that will produce after their own kind. Remember this scripture, the tongue holds the power of life and death. We have all met people or may have been on the receiving end of discouraging words that were planted in childhood. Such words grow and bear fruit in adulthood. The woman who needs constant assurance that she is beautiful was probably told the opposite as a girl. The man who grows up to abuse women may have grown up in an environment where that was the norm. You and I are in the privileged position of knowing that the tongue has the power of life and death, therefore, we can either create life with it, or create death.

Creating our world with words happens when we believe the words. In the fall of Jericho, Rahab told the spies that the people were fearful because of stories they had heard. They had their own gods which they worshiped, yet they obviously believed the stories about the Israelite God hence their hearts melted and their feet trembled. When we believe a negative narrative or thought, we will experience corresponding emotions like fear. The antidote to fear is not neutrality, it is creative, life-giving words that will shift the atmosphere. In such situations, I find it difficult to believe the positive words I manage to whimper. Speaking words of life when disaster is brewing does not mean you will automatically shift the atmosphere. You have to believe those words. One of my favourite quotes is from ‘The Art of War’ In times of peace, prepare for war. This means we have to believe the truth before we are faced with a challenge.

When you have physical evidence of the negative situation before you, it can be difficult to believe the opposite. The solution is to saturate your senses with the creative power of the word until you believe it. Jacob made his sheep stare at striped poplar sticks and the sheep produced what their senses had become saturated with. You can do this through the music you listen to, the words you read, the conversations you choose. This is not the time to call that pessimistic aunty as you know they will only make things worse.

Do you permit soul-destroying words in your space? That which you repeatedly hear, you will eventually believe.

I am becoming intentional about the words I allow into my spirit. The movies I watch, the conversations I partake in and the news I listen to all have the power to shift my atmosphere. This move has meant cutting down phone conversations with certain people, and picking up the phone to engage with others. We cannot afford to allow just any words to saunter into our space. We must be intentional about creating the right atmosphere- not just for ourselves but for the family.

Here’s an experiment. I created two word clouds with an online tool. Look at both long enough to read a few words. What effect does each one have on you?

Can you add to this? How have you created or shifted your atmosphere? Any tips will be appreciated. In the meantime, here’s Jason Nelson’s song: