Words That Bury

Have you ever heard the metaphor “sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me?” I’ve heard kids say this on the playground, I’m sure I’ve said this a time or two when I was in elementary school. This saying was first reported in 1862 in a publication of the African Methodist Episcpol Church. It turns out this saying isn’t really a metaphor, it's from a poem on the impact of hurtful words. The real version says; “sticks and stones may break my bones but words can also hurt me. Sticks and stones can break my skin, while words are the ghost that haunt me.” As I grew older I would think about this metaphor often, repeating this phrase over and over again. The more I recited it, the more it didn’t make sense based on my experience with hurtful words. This famous metaphor was a huge lie to me because all of the hurtful words spoken over me turned into triggers which haunted my mind while idle.

Words are extremely powerful, God shows us how powerful words are in the first book of the Bible. Genesis chapter one verses 3-27 begins with “God said.” God created heaven and the earth, he separated light from darkness and created all of the creatures just with his words. Proverbs 18:21 says the tongue has the power of life and death; with this revelation you would think we would take close inventory of the words we speak to others and especially ourselves. It seems as though we are more reckless with our words because once they are spoken the bruises aren’t visible immediately. Remember we were taught that words can never hurt us however, the words we hear and believe will either catapult us into our destiny or bury us into deep early graves.

The first negative conversation we’ve had was probably internal; maybe you wanted to try something new and a voice said you couldn’t because people like you don't do things like that or you’re not smart enough. Hurtful words often come from people we love and cherish, they may not think they’re being malicious. Your dad, friends, boyfriend, or guidance counselor believe they are saying this out of love to protect you and whatever they are saying may be factual. Just because there are facts attached to what's being said doesn't mean you cannot obtain what God has planted in your heart. To ensure we’re not being buried by negative words we must first understand and agree with what God says about us and our situation. The bible is filled with the promises of God, he loved you so much that he sent his son Jesus to die for you so that whoever believes in him would not perish but have eternal life, John 3:16. Psalms 139:14 says that you are fearfully and wonderfully made, Romans 8:31 goes on to say If God is for us, who can be against us? We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do, Ephesians 2:10. This means you were not an accident! I don’t care what your parents told you regarding your conception, God already had a plan for you before you were formed in your mother’s womb. (Read Ephesians 1:3-14)

Wash yourself with the Word of God, meditating on it day and night. Take your thoughts captive! 2 Corinthians 10:5 When the enemy comes to lie and question what God said about you, you will be able to stand firm on the Word of God and fire back with “it is written!” One of the devil's tactics is to challenge your identity, he will trick you into questioning what God said. Before you question or respond, drink from the well of living water first then do what the Lord commands. Say out loud daily declarations, even if you don't feel like it, do it. Hurtful words can only bury if you do not believe who you are in Christ. It's time to live the life God has called you to live and take back territory the devil has stolen. This journey isn't easy however, know that you're not alone. Allow God to do the heavy lifting. Let's get to work! 💕

Prayer:

Father I thank you that I know you as the perfect and loving Father that you are.

I ask that I continue to receive a deeper revelation of what it means to be your daughter/son.

I pray that I see you the same way Jesus saw you when He walked the Earth.

I pray that I perfectly display your image: loving people the way you love them and seeing them through your eyes.

I pray that I see myself the way you see me.

I pray that I fully display your Kingdom: power, authority and love.

I also pray that I host your manifest-presence every day of my life.

And a greater flow of your tangible, undeniable, unavoidable, irresistible manifest-presence would be in my life.

I pray this in the name of your precious son Jesus, amen.

Daily Declaration:

I am chosen

I am loved

I am above and not beneath deut. 28:1-14

I am the head and not the tail deut. 28

I am blessed in my rising up & laying down

I am blessed in the field & in the house

I am the LENDER and never the borrower

I am more than a conqueror

I am healthy

I am smart

In Christ I am made strong

I am worthy

I’m an asset

I am all that God says that I am

I walk in favor

I walk boldly in victory

I have already won

I am ____________! (fill in the blank)