Death and life are in the power of the tongue.

Psalm 18:21

Sometimes, the words float through my mind as though they were spoken just yesterday. “Why can’t you be more like…?” “You don’t deserve to draw air.” “You are just wasting space on this earth.” These words were spoken over me numerous times by people who were supposed to love me.

Because I thought they loved me, I believed the words.

I know differently now. When those words come back to haunt me, I have to remember that someone who really loves me spoke different words over me.

Words like:

I am chosen.

I am loved with an everlasting love.

I am redeemed.

I am created in His image.

I am forgiven.

I am valuable.

You get the idea, the list could go on and on. But it isn’t helpful to make a list if I am not going to change the channel in my mind. When the hurtful words surface, I have to choose to let them go and focus on who God says I am.

Here is poem I wrote for the kids I work with:

Hearts are for children and for adults. And even for dogs and cats.

Hearts can be big and hearts can be small.

Hearts can be broken and hearts can be mended.

Words can hurt hearts and words can heal hearts.

Hearts can be full of joy or full or anger.

Hearts are for loving and not for hating.

Hearts can be weak or they may be strong.

Always remember your heart is special and you only have one.

Handle with care.

I hope no one ever spoke unkind words over you, but if they did, I hope like me, you can replace them with words spoken over you by our heavenly Father. Words that bring life and healing and value.

Father, I love the words You have spoken over me and the value You have placed on me. Your words bring life to me and help me be healed from the words of others. I pray that You would forgive them and bring them into an intimate relationship with You. Help me please to remember when I tempted to believe the others that there are no more powerful words for me than those that You have spoken.

pic credit: Mended Hearts