Words

So do you know that quote that says something to the effect of "nobody can hurt you unless you let them"?  Or how about "sticks and stones can break my bones but words can never hurt me"? Well guess what. I've decided that this is a false notion. This is great news for every female on the planet.

Psalm 59:7: "Listen to the filth that comes from their mouths; their words cut like swords."

Psalm 64:3: "They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows."

These are just two examples, but enough for me to be convinced. This and a chapter from another Max Lucado book ("No Wonder They Call Him The Savior"). 

You see, I get it. I get that the purpose of the cliches I mentioned above were to make us think that we can just get past the crap people say to us. And we can....but GET PAST IT is different than the message that I got. What I heard when I was told these things was, "you're letting their words hurt you. It's your fault that you feel pain over what they have said. If you were a better person, you wouldn't even care about their words." But....honestly? I felt so free when I felt as though I had received permission to be hurt but hurtful words.

Now don't get me wrong here, I believe in getting over it, in moving past it, in taking it in stride. I'm not advocating weakness and a lack of respect for oneself, but I believe that the pain we feel from hurtful words is real. It's REAL! Words can totally hurt you, and it doesn't mean you're weak. So, I believe that if we can face the pain and move on its better than trying to be above the pain, or believing that pain means you're weak.