Words that hurt and words that heal

So many words are thrown at us each and every day. Words heard on the radio, words said by friends and loved ones, words just overheard, words read; so many words. 

Words all have meaning, some more than others, and some have deeper meaning to different people for different reasons. 

I have been bombarded by words this week, for several different reasons, and I also have been more aware of the words around me this week. 

The 1st reason that words are in the forefront of my mind right now is because I chose to participate in a women's group project in which we all wrote down the hurtful names that others have called us and that we have called ourselves, but we also wrote, separately, positive words that have been said about us or things/attributes that we feel are positive about ourselves. I wrote down a few of the most hurtful things that have ever been said to me. And by writing them down, letting them out, and later destroying them, I was finally able to release those internal stigmas about myself. I believe that the other women participating also had a very positive and transformational experience. 

It is certainly interesting that "words" spoken to each of us or "words" of self talk can stay in our hearts and minds for years. 

The 2nd reason that words are 'high on my radar' this week is because my 11 yr. old has been either asking me about, or speaking/repeating words heard in middle school, that are words that I was not yet mentally prepared to cover with him....

Words can make life difficult in so many ways! 

But then there was the sermon in church last weekend, about the immeasurable beauty that God sees in each and every one of His children.  The sermon centered very heavily on us owning and believing how beautiful each of us is to God. 

This brought me to reflecting on the positive words that I had written a few days before, at the women's event. 

What an impact words can have!  Now, it was the positive words that were filling my mind and heart, and brightening my day. 

You see, if each of us was able to focus more time on the positive "words" in our lives than on the negative "words", each day would be filled with more happiness than sadness, more self-love than defeat. 

And imagine if we made a point to spread positive words to and around others as well? 

What an amazing impact "words" can have!  Please ponder that and remember that in the weeks to come! 

Now, speak the bolded declarations out loud to yourself. The power of life and death is in the tongue, so it is vital that you only allow the Truth to come out of your mouth. It could be the difference in an amazing life and a disappointing one.       Proverbs 18:21

Peace to your week!