Do you ever have those moments when a word or phrase just stabs you right in the heart? That happened to me today. I learned of a conversation that somehow included a very personal experience of mine. I am not going to go into details because the details do not matter. What matters is the gossip that was directed at me and others I care about.

Let’s just be honest, words hurt. There is no way around that fact. We can say all day long, “I don’t care what others think about me,” or “It doesn’t matter what someone is saying, I know the truth.” But deep inside, where we carry the hidden parts of our soul, it hurts.

There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers and sisters. — Proverbs 6:16-19

I can remember growing up and being really upset by the way some children would speak about and to me. But I was always told that as I grew older, I would not care about such things. Unfortunately, this is not reality. As I grow older, I have come to realize the depth of the hurt words cause people.

There is a song by Leanna Crawford called Mean Girls. It’s a a powerful song about the burden of words upon our souls.

Stick and stones may break my bones
But no one ever warned me about words

That’s the crux of it. No one really warns us about words. No one tells us how to let words truly bounce off our backs, particularly when they come from those whom you have poured yourself into for the sake of love and friendship.

Mean girls don’t remember what they said
Well, it’s funny ’cause I can’t seem to forget
Their whispers opened up the door
To a world called insecure
No, mean girls don’t remember what they said

Scripture consistently reminds us that life as a disciple is very difficult. It is a truly a very narrow path that we must walk to be faithful to God’s commands. Unfortunately, there are many today who call themselves Christians but neglect to live into the fullness of our called lives. They will say “love” while spewing division.

Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. — 1 John 3:15

Words slowly “murder” another person when used to gossip. They take us to a place filled with shame and self-doubt. They cause walls to go up and relationships to fall apart. They steal trust and instill isolation. And all the while this is happening, we smile through the pain so no one will know.

I smile and I pretend it doesn’t hurt
But the older that I get it just gets worse
Lord, find me and remind me that my worth
Is worth so much more than their words

So, what do we do? We can’t control other people, even though it would be nice sometimes. We can’t force someone to say nice things.

I need to you find me and remind me that my worth
Is worth so much more than their words

For starters, we pray. Psalm 64:2-4 is a good place to start. Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, from the throng of evildoers, who whet their tongues like swords, who aim bitter words like arrows, shooting from ambush at the blameless, shooting at him suddenly and without fear.

We are incapable of battling these evil spiritual forces without calling upon the name of Jesus Christ. In this world of hatred and division, there is a sense of pride in tearing down another human being. Even more so, there is glee in listening to another tear someone down. But as people of the cross, we cannot be a part of such sin. We must stand up against those who seek to divide the Kingdom by spreading lies, watering down the scriptures, and neglecting the spiritual care of our brothers and sisters.

Today, I was caught by surprise by the pain of another’s words but only for a moment.

Mean girls don’t remember what they said
Well, it’s funny ’cause I can’t seem to forget

It’s true. I can’t seem to forget. But I will glorify God within the pain of the words.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. — Matthew 5:11-12

I am richly blessed because of the many words that have been thrown at and about me for being strong in my faith. I am richly blessed because I have lost friends for listening to the conviction by God within my heart. I am richly blessed because the words of the evil continue to come which tells me that I did exactly what God designed for me to do. Do the words still hurt? In the moment, yes, But in the eternal, not even a little do I feel pain.

Lord, find me and remind me that my worth
Is worth so much more than their words

Praise God, that is exactly what He did!