Blog #13 - The Power of Our Words.

In the birth room, there is a moment every midwife knows well, when a woman reaches full dilation.

She has made it through hours of contractions, pain, and persistence.

And yet, so often, when it’s time to push, I hear the same words spill out:

“I’m tired… I can’t do this.”

But the truth is, she already has done so much.

She has made it all the way to 10cm, her body has carried her to this incredible point, and now the finish line is within reach.

So I lean close and gently correct her:

“Yes you can. You have made it all the way here, and yes, you will push your baby out.”

That small correction often changes everything.

Because in that moment, words matter.

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Why Do We Speak Negatively?

This happens not only in childbirth but in everyday life.

We so often confess negatively with our mouths.

We say things like:

• “I’m not good enough.”

• “I’ll never get through this.”

• “I’m always unlucky.”

Sometimes we don’t even mean it.

Sometimes it’s to fit in, to appear tough, or just to release frustration.

But whether we mean it or not — words have power.

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

– Proverbs 18:21

Our words plant seeds.

Some seeds grow into hope, courage, and breakthrough.

Others grow into discouragement, fear, and despair.

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A Lesson From My University Days

I’ll never forget my second year of university.

It was April Fool’s Day, and I thought it would be funny to prank my friends.

Around 11am, I sent everyone a message claiming I’d been in an accident.

Not long after, irony struck.

A close friend had visited and asked me to drive his car around the block.

I’d had a few lessons but hadn’t passed my test yet.

Nervously, I got into the car, and instead of pressing the brake, I pressed the gas.

The car shot forward into a wall with such force that the airbags exploded.

For a few seconds, I didn’t even know where I was.

I ended up in the emergency department with whiplash, under observation, while the car was declared a total wreck.

And then came the hardest part: sending out another message to my friends.

Only this time, it wasn’t a prank.

For real this time, I was in an accident.

It was surreal, embarrassing, and costly.

I had to scrape together money I didn’t even have to pay my friend back.

Looking back, I couldn’t help but think:

What started as a careless word spoken in jest ended up manifesting in reality.

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The Spiritual Weight of Words

This is not superstition , it is spiritual truth.

The Bible warns us:

• “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up.” (Ephesians 4:29)

• “By your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:37)

Even science echoes this , negative self-talk rewires the brain toward stress and hopelessness, while positive words strengthen resilience.

In the birth room, a shift in words can mean the difference between despair and determination.

In life, the words we speak over ourselves and others create the atmosphere we live in.

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How Can We Do Better?

1. Catch the confession.

When you hear yourself saying “I can’t,” pause and replace it with:

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

2. Speak life over others.

Be the friend who says: “You’ve got this.”

“You’re stronger than you think.”

“God is with you.”

3. Guard your words in jest.

Not every joke is harmless. Speak words that build, not break.

4. Pray Scripture.

Fill your tongue with promises, not complaints.

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Final Reflection

If laboring women can summon the strength to birth new life by changing a few words,

imagine what we could all birth into our lives, relationships, and futures

by choosing life-giving confessions every day.

Negative words drain.

Positive words fuel.

But faith-filled words move mountains.

So let’s be intentional.

Let’s correct ourselves when the “I can’t” slips out.

Let’s replace careless jokes with words of blessing.

Let’s remind each other that with God — yes we can.

“The power of life and death is in the tongue.” (Proverbs 18:21)

What we speak today will shape the future we live tomorrow.