In talking with someone today about an electoral candidate, the opinion expressed was that this person was useless – for, among other reasons, they did not express a clear opinion on matters important to the public. Consequently the speaker was not going to vote for them even though they adhered to this person’s political party. And they were not alone.

This reminded me of how important it is for each of us to believe in something, and to be assertive in voicing our perspective. That is, to have an opinion and to express it without mincing words or beating around the bush. In most cases that will be respected more than not using your voice to express what you really think of something.

A personal example of this is when I was jokingly laying a guilt trip on a friend the other day, he responded immediately with, “You’re so full of ….!” And I took no offence because he was being real with me. I simply replied, “Yes, I’m just kidding you.” And we both laughed it off. Of course I went on to explain to him what was really happening and why.

The Scriptures (in James 5:23 from the King James Version) tell us: “Let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.” What does that mean? On SearchWarp.com Mark Parsec was selected as providing the best answer to the question. He states ”It means to say what you mean and mean what you say. Keep your promises. Don't exaggerate, don't fudge, don't come up with excuses. Don't make promises you can't keep.”

Often problems with using our voice come from our upbringing, which often robs us of that voice. For countless children, due to lack of skills, absence of a safe nurturing environment, and mostly fear, they cannot express what they so long to when very unpleasant things are happening to and/or around them. And they typically carry that fear into their teen years and then into their adulthood.

I would like to believe that more recently children are being consistently taught from a more knowledgeable and caring community, that they do have a voice. And that as adults we all can have the confidence we need to express ourselves, to use our voice, to vote, to say what we believe without any fear of response or reactions.

If you are not experiencing that freedom yet, consider, it’s time. It is time to know and to express your opinion – and to do that with dignity and respect and confidence, while accepting the fact others have that same right and their opinions may or probably will differ from yours.

Use Your Voice!

You have a voice and it is meant to be heard.

Know it’s OK for another’s conscience to be stirred.

God wants our yes to be yes and our no to be no.

Just do the right thing and see who may follow.

Take back your voice if ever it was stolen through life’s pain.

Then your life will have purpose and not be lived in vain.

Have difficulty with any of this? Then reach out to someone you believe can help, maybe a trusted friend or a competent counsellor. Some pretty awesome things, even miracles, have been experienced throughout history because individuals have dared to use their voice in an assertive and respectful manner. As a result, they and others enjoy themselves and life more, the world is a better place, and heaven is the richer. The Creator has given each of us everything we need to consistently be using our voice in a way that honours Him. Believing is a beginning and key to living a life of freedom and uplifting power on a daily basis – check it out and experience these truths for yourself.