God's Blueprint for ExcellenceSample

Day 4

Choose Your Words Wisely

Ancient law 4 – “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.”

Let’s talk about something that can make or break your day… your words. I’ve learned over the years, sometimes through painful mistakes, that words carry the power of life and death. They can lift someone up or tear them down. They can spark hope or spread fear. One time in Bermuda, I blurted out a question to a local lady without so much as a polite greeting, and her sharp response taught me a lesson I’ll never forget: choose your words wisely. The Bible backs this up in Proverbs 18:21—our tongues can bring life or destruction, and we’re the ones who decide.

Excellence means speaking words that heal, encourage, and inspire. It also means listening—really listening—with your ears, brain, and heart before your mouth jumps in. Try this: next time someone’s talking, keep eye contact, resist distractions, and truly hear their story. And when you speak, choose faith over fear. I’ve seen fear take over conversations in my years in the investment world, but faith-filled words calm the storm and point to hope. Your words can make someone’s day, so why not tell someone, “You’re like sunshine on a rainy day”? Let’s commit to speaking life and building others up, starting today.

Action Step
Today, notice one moment where you’re tempted to speak negatively or rush into a conversation. Pause, listen fully, and choose one uplifting phrase to say instead—something that could “make their day.” Write down how it felt to speak life.

Prayer
Lord, thank You for the gift of words. Help me use my tongue to bring life, not death, to those around me. Teach me to listen with my whole heart and speak words of faith, encouragement, and truth. Let my words reflect Your love and inspire excellence in others. Amen.