3 Life Habits to Prevent Speaker’s Block

Do you ever feel like you have nothing to say? Have you ever peered into your blank computer screen knowing you had to write that devotional, sermon, article, book or blog and just could not bring yourself to strike the first letter on the keyboard?

I think all of us want to communicate clearly. We want to make a difference with our spoken and written words. The problem is sometimes we just don’t have anything inside the reservoir of our souls that we can tap into. Consider the following verses:

1 Chronicles 12:32 (NKJV)

• Of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command;

• Acts 7:22 (NKJV)
  And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds.

• Colossians 4:6 (NKJV)
  Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

• Titus 2:1 (NKJV)
  But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:

• 1 Peter 4:11 (NKJV)
  If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

So how are we to be people who are?

• understanding of the times
• mighty in words and deeds
• speaking appropriately
• teaching correct doctrine
• ministering in God’s power?

Let me suggest three vital “life habits” that will help prevent speaker’s block:

Develop the Personal Practice of Reading.

• 58% of the U.S. adult population has never read another book after high school.
• 42% of U.S. university graduates have never read another book.  (Making Disciples of Oral Learners, Page 57)

Develop the Personal Discipline of Studying.

•  Never stop learning, be curious and make this a part of your life.
• “If you stop learning and reading, then purchase one last newspaper and search the obituaries for your name.”

Develop the Personal Craft of Writing.

• Write something every day whether it be an email, a journal entry or blog.
• Learn to craft Your words: “Genius is the ability to reduce the complicated to the simple.” C. W. Ceran
• Read a Grammar book to fine-tune your writing.

Josh McDowell, speaking to kids who were preparing for ministry, said this: “If you want to prepare for effective ministry then be an English major; if you cannot communicate you will not minister.”

What I am trying to say is this:

Read to expand the breath of your life and ministry…

Study to enlarge the depth of your life and ministry…

Write to express the height of your life and ministry…

 I leave you with three quotes that motivate me to speak from the overflow of my life and not to bluff.

•  “Of those who say nothing, few are silent.” Thomas Neill
•  “Blessed is the man who, having nothing to say, abstains from giving evidence of the fact.” George Eliot
•  “If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bull.” W.C. Fields