The tongue – it has power. So much power that Proverbs 18:21 says it “can bring life or death.”

In his new book, The Carpenter, Jon Gordon takes each reader on a journey with J. Emmanuel, a simple carpenter, full of wisdom, and Michael, an overworked husband and father, trying to balance life and failing miserably.

The carpenter wasn’t put into Michael’s life simply to save him after collapsing on the sidewalk while out for a run, or to help him build a new entertainment center while he recovers at home. He was put in place to give Michael every strategy he needed for success, both in his personal and professional life. 
J. told this story,

I once met a man, Dr. James Gills, who completed six double Ironman triathlons. That means he swam for 2.4 miles, rode his bike for 112 miles, and ran 26.2 miles. Then 24 hours later, he did it again. He was the only person on the planet to do this six times. When I asked him how he did it, he paused for a moment and said, ‘I have learned to talk to myself instead of listening to myself. If I listen to myself I hear all the negative thoughts, all the complaints, all the fears, all the doubts, and all the reasons why I shouldn’t be able to finish the race. But if I talk to myself I can feed myself with the words and encouragement I need to finish the race.’ He told me he would memorize and quote scripture, and this kept him going and fueled him toward the finish line.

You may not be competing an Ironman triathlon. Maybe you’re just trying to lose 10 lbs. Perhaps you’re trying to finish writing that book you’ve always wanted to write. Maybe you just don’t know what you want to finish, because you’re out of hope.
Your success may be waiting in your words. Are you listening or talking to yourself? (Tweet that)

Negative thoughts build a prison of failure. 

I remember sitting in a group therapy session once with a few other women. This girl was talking about her fears and the fact she “couldn’t” do what she wanted to do. This was a consistent battle for her.
Another woman in the group explained that a puppy was sitting inside a dog crate. He wasn’t treated well, constantly being scolded by his owner for no reason. He lived in the cage, day and night. One day the owner left the door open, but the dog didn’t move. He stayed in the cage. He was afraid of the unknown. He didn’t comprehend the door open meant his freedom awaited.
Then she asked this question, “How long will you sit in the cage with the door wide open?”
Those were profound words for me. She spoke them to the other girl, but as tears streamed down my face, I knew they were meant for me. I was sitting in a cage with the door wide open, believing I didn’t have enough value to step outside of those cage doors and live the life God created me to live.

Positive thoughts build a masterpiece.

The Ironman runner didn’t tell himself he couldn’t run a triathlon. He didn’t talk about the cold weather he would face, the people younger than him who could run faster, or the pain of the shin splints shooting up his spine.
Instead, he spoke words of encouragement and scripture over himself. Maybe he said something like, I’m a runner. God has given me the strength I need to run this race of endurance.  I have all the energy I need in this weather. I will run and not grow weary. My age does not define me. Pain is only temporary. I am a runner!

Before I wrote my first book, I always dreamed of being a writer. Then Jeff Goins, a powerful communicator and founder of Tribe Writers, helped to change my perspective about writing.
I had to stop dreaming of the desire to write a book and call myself a writer. I couldn’t build a masterpiece with negative thoughts. One published book later, and another in the process, I’m still running the race of endurance.
You will face obstacles, but what you say about those obstacles determines your success. (Tweet that, too)
Here’s to building a masterpiece.
[reminder]In what way do you need to stop listening to yourself and start talking to yourself? [/reminder]