On a recent walk we encountered a small waterfall. The water gently fell down the mountain side into the stream. As I reflect on the experience, it felt so peaceful looking at this waterfall, but I know it isn’t always the case. We once went to the Meiringspoort Falls near Oudshoorn in South Africa just after a major flood had occurred, and it was a whole different picture.  The water came rushing down in vast amounts creating a spectacular show. While some waterfalls are peaceful others can be noisy and even destructive.

Proverbs 18:21 says “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” (KJV). We can either speak words over ourselves and others that bring peace and harmony and stimulates growth, or we can speak words that bring about illness, hardships and destroys relationships. Like waterfalls coming over a cliff, these words falls from our lips on a daily basis.

In Matthew 4:4 it says “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (KJV) Jesus refers to Deuteronomy 8:3 where Moses spoke to the people of Israel about their obedience to God before going into the promised land. We need spiritual food even more than physical food, because it will assist us to not give in to the temptations of the devil.

The Israelites complained after being rescued, created a golden calf as a god, and after sending spies to scout the land doubted the promise God gave them. Because of this unbelief they remained in the desert for 40 years.

Sometimes our words create destruction, causing us to walk around in circles and if we don’t change our attitudes and fill our hearts with God’s Word, the results will lead to unfulfilled promises and unreached potential. We are going down the waterfall and expecting not to be crushed under the weight of the water. Suddenly we feel depressed and anxious and wondering where God is, but it is our own words that caused the outcome. Like the Israelites we must repent and commit ourselves to the Lord.  We need to speak words of life over our circumstances, express our gratitude towards God who doesn’t leave us to ourselves, but shows mercy and leads us on his righteous paths. We must follow Jesus’s example and use God’s Word to overcome temptation.

When we speak God’s word over ourselves and our circumstances, we will see strongholds broken. We will be released from bondage and experience His peace. We need to learn to take hold of every negative thought and make it obedient to God’s Word (refer to 2 Corinthians 10:5). Tell the devil to go away from you and speak scripture out loud over those thoughts. God’s word is incorruptible seed that will always yield a good harvest.

Breaking wrong habits takes time, but we can rest assured that “… with God all things are possible.” (Matt. 19:26 KJV) and that we can accomplish anything because Christ gives us strength (refer to Philippians 4:13).

Let God change you and see the rivers He will create in the dry wasteland (refer to Isaiah 43:19). Keep your focus on Jesus he said, “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:38 KJV). Follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance in all you do and let the light of Jesus shine from within you. Become as peaceful as a small waterfall, slow to speak and eager to be merciful.

May you be blessed with peace in Jesus’s Name!

Catherina