Ben Hooper was born in Monroe, Tennessee, to a single mom. It was a real scandal in his town because the year was 1870. The father abandoned the family, leaving Ben and his mom to fend for themselves. He grew up in unthinkable poverty and faced many challenges. He couldn’t go anywhere in town without hearing whispers and feeling people staring at him. One day, when he was about twelve years old, he decided to visit a neighborhood church. He was surprised at how warm and friendly the church was, and he felt drawn to keep coming back.
One Sunday, he met the pastor in person. John E. Smith was new to town and was just beginning to learn his new flock. Standing around several people, he reached out to shake Ben Hooper’s hand and asked him who his father was. Shame and discomfort swept over Ben’s face. He looked down at the ground, and it was obvious how embarrassed he felt. The pastor picked up on the tension immediately and said in a loud voice for all to hear, “I know Who your Father is! I can see His resemblance in you. You are a child of the King!”
Ben had never heard words of affirmation like that. They were life-giving and created in him a new spark. That day changed his life. Are you aware of the words you speak to others? Are you conscious of the fact that words can either build up or tear down? They can be life or death. Proverbs 18:21 teaches,
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”
Photo Credit; ©Getty Images/JasonDoiy
1. Words Are Weighty
Scripture constantly reminds us of the importance of words. It is part of the responsibility of being created in God’s image. Think about it. How did God create the universe? According to Genesis 1, He spoke it into existence. I want us to see in scripture why the words we choose matter.
Do you ever think about how much your words weigh? As a husband, my words and tone can make my wife feel loved or neglected. They literally have the ability to shape emotions. As a father, I try to constantly remind myself that my words are the weightiest in my kids’ lives. I can either build them up and help them succeed, or I can tear them down and make them feel as though they’re not good enough. As a pastor, I am very aware that my words affect many listeners. Before I speak, I often prepare my messages thinking about people who have been told their entire lives that they don’t measure up, will never be good enough, or could never deserve God’s love. There is no greater joy I have than speaking life-giving words into broken lives.
You have the same opportunity as I do because you are created in God’s image. Your words matter, and this is why scripture says, “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” (Proverbs 12:18). Those who are closest to you—your spouse, children, family, friends, and co-workers—what do they hear from you? Are your words filled with encouragement and affirmation? Or are they filled with criticism and negativity? Take Proverbs 16:24 to heart:
“Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”
Photo Credit: iStock/Getty Images Plus/Xavier Lorenzo
2. Choose Carefully
Words of affirmation do not happen by coincidence. They are deliberate and intentional. Do you remember the story of Gideon from the Old Testament? God called Gideon to lead and defend Israel against its enemies, yet Gideon was someone that neither you nor I would have ever chosen. He had no qualifications, and he was painfully aware of it. When the angel of the Lord appeared before him to tell him of God’s call, he answered with excuses, saying that his tribe was the weakest of Israel and he himself was the least of all of his family (Judges 6:15).
I can hear Gideon saying, “I have no education. I have no experience. I have no business doing what you’re asking me to do.” In other words, he was saying that he had no value, but the angel of the Lord would not accept those excuses. He told Gideon something that no one had ever told him. Like Ben Hooper, for the first time in his life, he received affirmation. The angel of the Lord said,
“The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.” - Judges 6:12
Gideon could not see himself as a man of valor until someone else saw it in him. Are you deliberate and intentional, often giving words of affirmation? I try to tell my young children as often as I can, “God has big plans for your life. God is going to use you in ways you could never dream of. I am proud of you.”
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/fizkes
3. Iron Sharpens Iron
Pastor John E. Smith understood the weight of his words, and he chose them very carefully when he met Ben Hooper. He would go on to become the greatest influence in Ben’s life. He became a friend and a mentor. Pastor Smith was a living example of Proverbs 27:17, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” His words helped shape Ben’s attitude and work ethic, which eventually led him out of poverty. Ben would go on to attend and graduate from the University of Tennessee. At the age of forty-one, Ben Hooper became the governor of the great state of Tennessee from 1911 to 1915.
God gave Ben Hooper eighty-seven years on this earth. He died on April 18th, 1957. They were eighty-seven good years because someone cared enough to choose their words carefully, and it shaped the rest of his life. Don’t miss your opportunities. Look around at the people God has placed in your path and speak life into them.
“Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Thomas Barwick
Chad’s pastoral career has not been defined by blindness. Rather, it is his clear, biblical teaching that continues to grow an audience. He has traveled through forty nations, training pastors and strengthening churches.
Today, Chad teaches people to trust a God they cannot see. His days are filled with the things he loves most: leading, speaking, writing, and of course, coffee! He is a spiritual content creator. By God’s grace, he is emerging as a trusted spiritual voice in people’s lives. Chad may have blindness, but blindness does not have him.
Originally published Monday, 21 April 2025.