Don't Underestimate Your Words

As a coach, I know how powerful my position is because as a player I was influenced by a coach in a way that completely transformed my life.

The team was in the locker room with about 15 minutes left until tip-off. We had just gone over the game plan one final time. Someone special to our team was leading us in prayer. Just like he always did – right before we took the court.

It was business as usual. Except, as he was doing the Lord’s work praying with us, he was called home. Right in the middle of his prayer, he collapsed and died instantly of a heart attack.

Somehow my team went out and played that night. We were stunned and shocked, but regardless, we were able to win the game. I remember going home that night not caring about basketball. I remember coming back to the gym that next morning to shoot around upset and angry.

Until I read what was written on the whiteboard in the locker room… In big-black dry erase marker it read, Matthew 25:23. I quickly took my phone out and looked it up. “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Out of all the things my coach could have responded with, this is what he chose to say.

I don’t know what your response was or would be, but I know that the response my coach had changed my life. It woke me up and made me change everything about my life for the better.

Your words have the power to speak life or speak death. They have the power to completely transform lives. In the small moments, big moments, and everything else in-between, let your words speak life!