Words are powerful.

“The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.”  Proverbs 18:21 (NLT)

 

I’m not really sure who came up with the little rhyme of “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me,” but they couldn’t have been further from the truth.  Broken bones are much easier to heal than broken spirits. 

 

I’m pushing on 50 years old and have a few scars on my body where I was bitten by a dog, fell on a concrete step with my mouth, and underwent knee surgery for a major softball injury.  There are scars, but they don’t tingle with pain when I see a dog, walk on a concrete step, or play softball.  However, I can recall some things that were said to me or about me back into my childhood years that can bring up a wound as if it happened today.  Some of those words were about my appearance, some of them were in some of the most awkward years of my life (hello, middle school!), some of them were about my personality, some of them were about my leadership, some of them were about my faith.  Regardless of the topic, they were about ME and they hurt.  Some of them made me put walls up around my heart, some of them made me feel rejected in social settings (which still comes up today), and some of them made me feel like I should shrink back from who God created me to be.  Definitely seems like a broken bone would be much easier to address.

 

Today, our Father’s Day sermon at church was about the power of words.  I cried and I was certainly convicted.  Yes, I have had harsh and unkind things said to me and about me.   Sometimes those could have been spoken out of the wounds of the other person; sometimes it was from the “truth” of their perspective.  At the same time, I have also spoken harsh and unkind things to and about others.  My heart is heavy for the way I have used my tongue and words in certain situations.

 

Words. Are. Powerful.  To borrow a phrase I first heard from Pastor Rick Warren, “Hurting people hurt people.”  If we have wounds, if we have unhealed offenses, those things ARE going to come to surface at some point.  Yes, we are human and have frustrations.  However, we are 100% responsible for what we do and say………REGARDLESS of what they do, don’t do, or say.  Today was a reminder to me of some unaddressed hurts I have and some change I want – and need – to make. 

 

The sermon was about giving words of acceptance, of affection, and of affirmation.  While I can quickly remember those who have wounded me with their words, I can also recall those who positively shaped my future because of their words.  In return, I’m able to use my words to add value to others and, prayerfully, positively shape their lives, self-worth, and view of God. 

 

If I have used my mouth to hurt you, I sincerely ask for your forgiveness. 

 

If I have used my mouth to speak negatively about someone to you, I ask for your forgiveness.

 

If I have joined in by listening to negative conversation about others, I ask for your forgiveness. 

 

In the days ahead, if you hear things come out of my mouth that are not true, helpful, inspiring, necessary, or kind……….i ask for your accountability.  No more wounds talking.  No more offense talking.  I want to truly live out God’s Word. As Ephesians 4:29 says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for BUILDING OTHERS UP according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

 

This is a very raw and honest post. Let’s be #BetterTogether.