Pondering Thoughts of My Soul

Remember the adage: sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.  That adage is so untrue.  Proverbs 12:25 says, “Unkind words can pierce the heart like swords.”  Who has not been cut to the quick by harmful and hurtful words?  I’m certain we all have.  Consider verse 2 of “Redeemed” by Big Daddy Weave, written by Benji Cowart and Mike Weaver: “All my life, I have been called unworthy, named by the voice of my shame and regret.  But then I hear you whisper, ‘Child, lift up your head,’ I remember, oh God, You’re not done with me yet.”  Then the chorus: “I am redeemed, You set me free.  So, I’ll shake off these heavy chains, wipe away every stain; now I’m not who I used to be.”  Then the bridge: “Because I don’t have to be the old man inside of me ‘cause his day is long dead and gone.  Because I’ve got a new name and new life, I’m not the same, and a hope that will carry me home.”  What a beautiful song about knowing who we are in Christ, no matter what hurtful words harmed us in the past.  Dear Heavenly Father, we praise You and thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, in whom we are redeemed and set free.  Forgive us our prior sins of harmful words.  Help us to hold our tongues and not speak hurtful or harmful words to others.  In Jesus’ name, we pray.  Amen.  Psalm 52:2-4: “Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit.  You love evil more than good and lying more than speaking what is right.  You love all words that devour, O deceitful tongue.”