Sometimes
the Holy Spirit brings something to our attention that needs
addressing. When this happens, we have to switch gears and follow His
lead. In light of this, I am going to digress from the blessings of God
and focus on what He is saying this week.
Yesterday,
someone spoke hurtful words in my direction. Someone close to me.
Someone I should be able to trust with my heart. Someone who should know
better than to say things to wound me. Someone who should strive to
build me up, not fill my world with strife.
Which started my thought process.
So
many times, I counsel women who have been torn down by the words of
others. Their self-esteem is shot. They think negative thoughts about
themselves and life. Their words reflect the damage done to their heart.
Some suffer from severe depression. Some are physically afflicted from
the bondage of their internal agony.
I
also think of bullying when I consider the harm words can do. We often
think of bullying as being pushed around. We have images of Ralphie
running from Scut Farkus. It may lead up to physical contact, but my
experience is that bullying begins with words. The words are manipulative and work to bind someone in a spirit of fear.
Remember the adage, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me?" It's a lie. Flat out. Sticks and stones will break our bones, and harmful words will destroy our innermost being.
I'd like to follow the Lord's leading and take a look at words and the harm they can do to others. I'd also like to discuss how we can overcome those negative words and thought patterns others have poured into our hearts. Invite your friends to join us. I pray God uses this to bring healing to many, just as He brings healing to me each time I take those negative thoughts captive and give them to Jesus. Join me tomorrow for our first Thoughtful Words post.
Photo Courtesy of Maja Pi
I'm doing a Bible study on James this summer and have been constantly convicted about my words. Good post. And you're right, it's a lie to say that words don't harm us.
ReplyDeleteGayla
Alycia, how interesting that you decided to move in this direction. This last week was fraught w/ 3 such episodes in my life. I am sharing your link on my fraidy cat facebook wall and will be watchful for future posts. May the Lord soothe your battered heart bcz words really do plant seeds of destruction. I am so sorry for your hurt and hope the person how spoke them will feel compelled to make restitution. I know that happens so rarely these days, but I pray it will happen this time! <3
ReplyDeleteI shared this post on g+ with a comment... I tagged you, Alycia, in it. I hope you see it.
ReplyDeleteGayla, I love the book of James. Sometime in the next month I will touch on some of the scriptures from there.
ReplyDeleteCarol Anne, Thank you for sharing my post on your Fraidy Cat Facebook wall! I'll be posting at least three times a week, and I have at least a month's worth of material. Unless God directs me elsewhere again... ;)
Kimberly, Thank you for sharing my post on Google Plus. I did see it. I hope you find my future posts touch your spirit and your heart. I'm thankful you have a testimony of God's faithfulness. Thank you for joining us!
(I love the Pooh font, by the way.) A friend and I were just discussing this very thing. I'm glad your working to "kill" the lie. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteI'm a day behind on my reading, but looks like I'm just in time for this! So sorry for the sting you felt. Nothing is worse that being hurt by a friend.
ReplyDeleteI know the Lord will give you something soothing, Alycia. Can't wait for you to share it.
I grew up when it was normal, or so I thought, to stick your tongue out and say that ditty and walk away thinking it was true. Now, so many years later realizing not only how hurt I have been but also how many I have hurt with words, I pray God was sensitize me to their power to bear life or death.
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