Words
Yesterday turned out to be a pretty lousy day. After I got home from work, I tried to push aside the stress from my day, and get lost in the busyness of family life. But, I could not let it go. The stress of the day was too much. I had a headache and fell asleep shortly after the kids were in bed.
Unfortunately, a good night's sleep did not cure my foul mood. I woke up this morning still thinking about the situation that had caused me so much grief yesterday. I was distracted during my morning workout, thinking of all the things I could have said, but hadn't.
Words. It was the words that were said to me yesterday that I couldn't get out of my mind. They were hurtful, with intention, and were still hurting me hours later.
I knew I couldn't think about these words all day...it would just lead to more stress and make for another lousy day. So, on the drive to work, I began praying. I asked God to reveal to me why these words had hurt me so much, why I couldn't let them go. I knew it wasn't because they were true. So, why did it bother me so much?
What I discovered was that, even though I knew that I had not done the things I had been accused of, the fact that someone thought these things about me was incredibly crippling. I could not move beyond these words because they were an attack on my character.
Maybe I wanted to share this with you because I want you to know how much your words can impact others. It is why I am so careful with the words I use, especially as a Christian, as I am representing God.
Maybe it's also to say that, while I do not believe we should base our worth on the opinions of others, what people think of us is important. I have had countless discussions with my girls on this topic, explaining to them to that, even if they didn't intend to be hurtful, if someone else feels they were being hurtful, they need to apologize. Perceptions do matter.
As I think about yesterday, and how I responded to those words, I realize I should have apologized. Not because I had done anything wrong, but because that is what was perceived. I don't know that it would have changed the situation or even that it would have been appropriate in the context of our meeting, but I should have said something. If for no other reason, in the hope of changing one person's perspective of me.
Any thoughts?
6 comments:
Wow! I'm going through this same situation now! Words that are not true spewed at me in anger that have crippled me in my day to day living. . . I wish I was the one who curled up in defeat, instead I am the one hurling back hurtful words.
Life, there are no steps when we are younger and it's comforting to know that I have a merciful God who will lead me to posts like these that will help me to not be so hard on myself.
I am trying to be more careful with my words, I will pray that His mercy comforts you and that you know you are doing an amazing God, reaching and changing lives.
God bless you. Xoxo
I really dislike getting blamed for things. I know exactly how you feel! Its so easy to get defensive and not realize that they just have the wrong perspective!
HUGS! Sending a prayer your way :)
My best friend called me out the other day on my dating situation. I couldn't figure out why the words she had said hurt so much. I did the exact same thing. I found comfort in prayer and in reading scripture. I needed God to reveal to me what to do and what to say. And He of course helped me through. <3
Interesting, I was thinking of using the exact same verse as I get ready for my blogpost for tomorrow! I saw the caption/picture and thought I would check out your post. I was struggling with something similar on Sunday... couldn't get someone's words out of my head and it was effecting my mood. Thanks for sharing!
-Julie
Stuggling with this same thing this week! Ugh! Praying for you!
Praying for you! You are so right.. our words have such power in them. The power to speak life or death over a person/situation. Often times I struggle with what people think of me. My counselor has been challenging me to really put aside everything that other people think of me and just LIVE! I've been challenged to color outside the lines, do things differently, and say WHATEVER (without being rude) to everything that usually affects me.
Hoping your Friday is better than this day! It's a fresh new day, with new beginnings!
LOVE YA, friend!
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