Mark Batterson believes that the right words spoken at the right time can quite literally change someone’s life. In fact, he’s experienced it for himself.
When Batterson was a teenager, someone approached him as he prayed at an altar. The person prayed what Batterson now understands as a relatively generic prayer. But at the time, it was transformative. “God is going to use you in a great way,” the person said. Decades later, Batterson still gets choked up remembering those words that ministered directly to his young, vulnerable heart.
Heather Thompson Day has experienced the power of timely words as well. The first time she spoke to her mentor, he said that oftentimes, before God moves in someone’s life, “He will send them someone to help guide them on the way. And that’s why I’m here.”
On a new episode of Viral Jesus, Batterson and Day share stories, science, and Scripture about the ways words can change a life. They talk about the unique power of please, sorry, and thanks. And they prompt listeners to consider how words have shaped them, and how they can speak encouragement into the lives of others.
This summer, may we be intentional in our speech, remembering that “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver” (Proverbs 25:11).
