Sticks and Stones

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me." Whoever said these words can know that this is completely false. Words hurt. They can pierce your heart, make you feel incredibly weak, make you angry, alone and helpless that to some extremes, some people take their own life. What baffles me, is that even though I'm sure everyone in their life at some point has had hurtful words said to them, they still chose to say it to others knowing how hard it can be.

Over the years, I have had some incredibly harsh words said to me, some that still haunt me to this day just because someone decided to let those things come from their mouth. I have had my arm broken in two places and that hurt, the pain shot through my arm and I cried, but over time it had healed. I can tell you today I will hardly look back on that event, but words, those can stay with you the rest of your life.

"You'll never measure up to anything. You'll be flipping burgers the rest of your life and never get into college because you're so lazy!"
"Don't eat that piece of chocolate, you'll only get more fat."
"Gosh, you're such a selfish little B****."
"You're worthless"
"Why the hell are you crying? Just get over it, no one cares anyway,"

When I was in High School, it was some of the worst possible years of my life. During my senior year, I had a majority of my graduating class spread rumors about me, start Facebook feeds and status' about me, some parents of the community had even joined in. I was so shunned that my mom would sign me out of school early to go home because I was scared to walk down the hallway without getting something shouted at me or dirty looks. During this time, I didn't know if I would ever get into college because my ACT score was so low and I was told to start looking at other options. I also was going through some medical mysteries and issues that only made matters worse. I didn't have anyone to truly lean on besides God.

Although out of all of these matters, some words that aren't directly said to you can only be more hurtful. People that you once thought were friends say things about you behind your back and act fake towards your face. I admit, I am a girl and girls love to gossip and sometimes I have caught myself gossiping without even realizing I was. But how do we have the right to gossip about someone and say these things without us truly knowing someone's heart? What if the decisions they had made were because financial issues or problems going on in their family? It makes me angry and heartbroken how we can blatantly go throughout our life and say rude hurtful things to others and sleep just fine at night while they may be at home crying and plotting out reasons to leave.

Though those hurtful things were said to me in my past, I didn't let them hold me back. Yes, sometimes those things can surface and be brought to my mind in the weakest of moments, but over time I have made it into college and hold a 3.5 GPA, while maintaining two jobs, 17 credits, while still being in clubs and organizations. During that time I am proud to say that I've lost 13 pounds and my relationship with Christ has never been stronger. I didn't accomplish these things to prove people wrong, but I did these things because I know that without Christ these things wouldn't have been possible. He has given me the strength and the faith to believe the impossible, that if I have faith as small as a mustard seed that I can move mountains. Tears were shed, but mountains were moved.

If I have ever personally said hurtful words to anyone reading this, know that I am truly sorry and that those things were false. Forgive me for my wrong doing and know that you are worthy and righteous in the hands of Christ. God sees the potential in our lives and how far we can go if we just trust and seek Him daily. You are intelligent, talented, strong, beautiful and can accomplish more than you can believe. If hurtful words have ever hurt you to the point of wanting to give up, know that you are loved and cared for beyond what you can imagine. Christ calls us to love just as he loves us and to serve as he had served. Those hurtful words and put downs are lies from Satan that only wants to hurt you more, but whenever you feel unloved, unimportant, or insecure, remember to whom you belong.

Luke 6:45 "A good man says good things. These come from the good that is put away in his heart. An evil man says evil things. These come from the evil that is put away in his heart. Their mouths say everything that is in their hearts."

Psalms 31: 7-8, 18 & 24 "I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish in my soul. You have not given me into the hands of the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place...Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous...Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord."