So there I was, coffee in hand, savoring a peaceful morning—except for one little thing. Every time I raised my mug, I kept getting hit with the unmistakable smell of onion. Confused, I gave my coffee a sniff. Nope, it wasn’t the coffee. After a few bewildered sips and a minute of detective work, I realized: it was my hand! The onion scent was stuck behind my ring, a lingering trace from last night’s dinner prep, despite all the washing I’d done. Somehow, that little bit of onion had worked its way into the hidden places.
And right there, it dawned on me how similar this is to our thought life—especially when it comes to negativity. A small, seemingly insignificant thought can creep in, but left unchecked, it clings to us, sneaking into our words, attitudes, and even our perspective on life. Before we know it, we’re floundering, stuck in a cycle, asking ourselves why we can’t seem to move forward. But here’s the truth: it’s our stinken’ thinkin’ that holds us back. Just like that onion behind my ring, negativity can linger, even when we think we’ve washed it off.
Recently, a dear friend of mine shared some powerful words: “You have to lasso your words with your faith.” Ouch—and yes! That one hit me deep. I’ll admit, my words aren’t always lassoed with faith. If I’m honest, they’re sometimes lassoed with doubt, fear, or anxiety. Isn’t it funny how our nature often leans toward anything but faith? Yet God’s word challenges us: “Call those things which are not as though they were” (Romans 4:17). It’s a reminder that our words have power when they’re lassoed with faith, even if the world tries to dilute that truth or make it sound cliché.
And here’s the thing—even though some have twisted this principle, it doesn’t mean we should overlook it. God’s Word is meant for us to activate in every area of our lives, including our thoughts and words. Faith is about believing and speaking into existence what hasn’t yet happened, trusting that God will show up.
And let’s linger here a second: we cannot please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6). Yes, really. We can do all the right things, but without faith—without our words aligning with what we believe God can do—we’re missing the mark.
So, friend, what words are you speaking into your life? Are they ones of faith, trust, and hope, or are they tinted with doubt and negativity, like that lingering smell of onion? Maybe it’s time to lasso our words, shift our thinking, and speak life into the places that feel stuck.
Let’s laugh a little at ourselves, do a heart check, and start putting faith in action with what we say. Because here’s the truth: when we let go of the “stink” of negativity and fill our words with faith, life starts to smell a whole lot better.
Your Faith-Filled Challenge:
Today, let’s shake off the “onion-scented” thinking and choose words that reflect the faith we want to live by. Here’s the challenge: spend just a few minutes reflecting on a scripture that fills you with hope, courage, or the reminder of who God says you are. Write it down, speak it out, let it settle into your heart, and when you feel a hint of doubt or negativity creeping in, lasso those thoughts back to that verse.
Maybe it’s Romans 15:13—“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Or Hebrews 11:1—“Faith is the confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Find a verse that lifts your spirit, that declares God’s goodness and power over your life.
And remember, faith isn’t about ignoring the struggle but about speaking life into it. So let’s go after a day of faith-filled words—words that honor the One who promises to be with us in every season. I’m cheering you on, friend—let’s leave the “stink” behind and step into the fresh freedom of faith together!