The Power and Source of Words

We all know that sticks and stones may break our bones, but words will never hurt us…

Well. That’s so untrue. Along with the actions of sticks and stones, words hurt us over and over. Deep wounds of words can be more painful than any thrown object. Physical pain may last for a little while, but words wound the mind, the heart, and the spirit. Like ghost of Christmas past, words continue to haunt us into the future.

”When someone stabs you
it’s not your fault that you feel pain.“ ~Louise Penny

Imagine with me for a moment how sharp, biting, hurting and strength stealing pain you feel when someone digs into your life with words that make you feel slain.

But you have to power to overwhelm the negative voices that pound your life. It’s all in the liberty you give the words to impact your next steps. Forgive. Forget. Move on… or let them haunt you. Will you exercise your power? Or not?

But before you choose to accept or ignore, consider the words for a moment. Were they true? Necessary? Helpful? Hurtful? Can they correct some missteps or will they chase you further down the path?

And, before you simply consider the words, consider the source. Who’s speaking them? Why were they the ones speaking them? Was there some truth at work? The Apostle Paul teaches us:

“…speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ” (Ephesians 4:15, NKJV)

Truth spoken with loving concern can help you grow and become what you have the potential to be as long as you see the truth in the words and fight off the hurt you may feel.

Here’s my thought. We’ve heard this old saying from many sources, but it seems to be as old as the hills.

This thought can be valuable for the speaker, as well as the hearer. Consider the words. Are they true? Kind? Necessary? Let that weigh in before you speak, and before you accept them from someone else.