Let me start by saying this blog post was not in anyway shape or form inspired by current events or the news. However, it can be applied to the way society often acts. This blog post was inspired by a personal experience that lead to some self-reflection and opened up some wonderful conversations with friends. Proverbs 15:4 “Gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” Words can be so destructive. One side comment, one gossip conversation, one social media post, even one look can hurt someone. The action may take a few seconds or it could be longer, either way, the pain is still there.
So why do we find a need to bring other people down? Why as a sibling did we intentionally say something to hurt our brother or sister? Why do we find ourselves talking negatively about someone? What does any of that accomplish? Does it make us feel better about ourselves? Maybe in the moment, we stop thinking about our own insecurities and thoughts like "Well, my life is better than hers. At least I am not that messed up." Creep into our minds, but overall it just hurts everybody. It's an ugly cycle.
We are angry so we knock someone else down to feel better, they feel bad because of what we did and the cycle continues. It needs to stop! Someone needs to break the cycle. It's not going to be easy and it's not going to be overnight, but a change has to happen. We are all guilty of speaking ill of people in some fashion or another. It sneaks into conversation sometimes even unintentionally.
My friend and I started this discussion of hurtful words after I had an experience with a hurtful comment. I mentioned how shocked I was how much it hurt me, even though I knew it was probably said more out of frustration than anything else. This prompted the discussion of how easy it is to tear people down and what is it that hurts so much.
After some personal reflection on my situation, I pinpointed that what hurt me the most is the girl had commented on something I was already insecure about. Something the devil was already using to make me feel untalented, under-qualified, and insignificant already. The three words said in hasty frustration, were just enough to punch the wound.
I glided through Fred Myer, frustrated and wanting to cry. I came home and sat in my office chair sad and upset. Then my intelligent roommate smiled at me and said: "You have a right to be upset, but don't dwell on it." Easier said than done, but exactly what I needed to hear. After trying to put it aside for the rest of the day, I went to church.
Nothing like the love of God to speak to your heart and remind you that you are a beautiful, treasured creation. A shining princess whom He loves dearly and fights for every second of your life. He has created great plans for you and has not brought you this far to let you fall. Wow! How can I even begin to be upset about one comment when the love my King has for me is so vast and powerful?
The point I am trying to make here is we need to build one another up, not tear each other down. There is enough hate and darkness in the world to make us feel insignificant. We don't need to do that to each other.
Words can build up, just as much as they can destroy. 1 Thessalonians 5.11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. People are going to struggle with things, someone will always be better and worse than you are at something. But, if you are in a position to help someone better themselves do it. What does it cost you? Some time? We are supposed to learn and grow from one another. That's hard to do when words shaped as daggers are being thrown.
Thank you for reading this post. You may not agree with everything I said and that's ok. My encouragement is this, surround yourself with people who will build you up and point you back to the One who made you in His image. Take time to encourage others. Imagine a world where we are all encouraging and speaking life into people? How cool would that be? I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday!
So why do we find a need to bring other people down? Why as a sibling did we intentionally say something to hurt our brother or sister? Why do we find ourselves talking negatively about someone? What does any of that accomplish? Does it make us feel better about ourselves? Maybe in the moment, we stop thinking about our own insecurities and thoughts like "Well, my life is better than hers. At least I am not that messed up." Creep into our minds, but overall it just hurts everybody. It's an ugly cycle.We are angry so we knock someone else down to feel better, they feel bad because of what we did and the cycle continues. It needs to stop! Someone needs to break the cycle. It's not going to be easy and it's not going to be overnight, but a change has to happen. We are all guilty of speaking ill of people in some fashion or another. It sneaks into conversation sometimes even unintentionally.
My friend and I started this discussion of hurtful words after I had an experience with a hurtful comment. I mentioned how shocked I was how much it hurt me, even though I knew it was probably said more out of frustration than anything else. This prompted the discussion of how easy it is to tear people down and what is it that hurts so much.
After some personal reflection on my situation, I pinpointed that what hurt me the most is the girl had commented on something I was already insecure about. Something the devil was already using to make me feel untalented, under-qualified, and insignificant already. The three words said in hasty frustration, were just enough to punch the wound.
I glided through Fred Myer, frustrated and wanting to cry. I came home and sat in my office chair sad and upset. Then my intelligent roommate smiled at me and said: "You have a right to be upset, but don't dwell on it." Easier said than done, but exactly what I needed to hear. After trying to put it aside for the rest of the day, I went to church. Nothing like the love of God to speak to your heart and remind you that you are a beautiful, treasured creation. A shining princess whom He loves dearly and fights for every second of your life. He has created great plans for you and has not brought you this far to let you fall. Wow! How can I even begin to be upset about one comment when the love my King has for me is so vast and powerful?
The point I am trying to make here is we need to build one another up, not tear each other down. There is enough hate and darkness in the world to make us feel insignificant. We don't need to do that to each other.
Words can build up, just as much as they can destroy. 1 Thessalonians 5.11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. People are going to struggle with things, someone will always be better and worse than you are at something. But, if you are in a position to help someone better themselves do it. What does it cost you? Some time? We are supposed to learn and grow from one another. That's hard to do when words shaped as daggers are being thrown.
Thank you for reading this post. You may not agree with everything I said and that's ok. My encouragement is this, surround yourself with people who will build you up and point you back to the One who made you in His image. Take time to encourage others. Imagine a world where we are all encouraging and speaking life into people? How cool would that be? I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday!
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