Words are powerful. It’s amazing. They have the ability to heal, encourage and give a vision. Or they can demean, tear apart and damage even the strongest of personalities.
I grew up in a family where some of the older and extended females thought it was their duty to tell me everything that was wrong with me. My thighs were too fat. I’d be pretty if I’d get a nose job. I shouldn’t play sports because it’s not becoming of girls (but what about the fat thighs??!) I spoke too fast and was way to shy to ever do anything great.
That hurts…a lot!
I was a young child when I heard those words and I’m still insecure about all of these.
It’s not only the words that were spoken, but the way they are delivered. I was a late bloomer - which I’m glad about now because it kept me from peaking in high school – but it was hell at the time. I didn’t care much about learning until later in life. One day when I was in the 3rd grade I got interested about a new math we were learning. In my excitement I began asking questions to the teacher as she explained it to us on the board. I was a little too eager and my questions were exasperating her (as a mom I now understand). She turned to me and dramatically says, “Laurie, be quiet! I’m trying to show you how now.”
Now what she said wasn’t wrong. I was being disruptive. However, her delivery killed the spirit of learning in this shy little girl. I was embarrassed. I finally had the courage to ask questions out loud and now felt foolish in front of my friends.
Jesus told the woman who’d made a lifetime of bad choices that she had done a beautiful thing by washing His feet. He encouraged the thief dying on the cross next to Him that he’d be with Him that day in Paradise. He called Peter, a.k.a. Vomit Mouth, the rock from which His church would be built. He calls us sinners - friends, brothers and sisters.
Jesus’ words healed, encouraged, taught, loved and forgave.
My family has been under attack of some harshly delivered words lately and it hurts. It kills the desire to work for the Lord – especially when it comes from within the church. My guess is this is not what God desires. Each time Jesus spoke people were encouraged to leave a sinful life behind them and to follow and serve Him and love. Shouldn’t this be how we talk to each other?
There are a lot of hurtful words thrown around on the Internet these days – but they still hurt. We are all lost children, looking for our way Home. I can’t wait to see my heavenly Father but I don’t want to arrive crawling on my hands and knees due to wounds caused by “friendly fire.” Instead, I want to be able to run into His arms, full-force - because my fellow brother and sisters cheered me on.
Let’s put down our weapons, get on our knees and pray for God to bless all of His children and leave it to God to work in the hearts of others.
How do words affect you?
How has God use His Word to heal you?
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