The Power in a Word

         If there is one thing in this world I absolutely cannot stand for it is watching people mistreat others, bully, and walk over other people’s emotions.  I have gone to a Christian university for 3 years and let me just say, Christians are about the worst about this.  Christians tend to be prideful, selfish, and think they are righteous no matter what they do.  Like the rest of the world, Christian’s especially lack the ability to see things from other people’s eyes and circumstances.  They only see someone else’s life, point of view, behaviors, and opinions through the looking glass of THEIR OWN life, point of view, behaviors, and opinions.  It is their way, or the highway.  If they don’t match up, even in the slightest, this is usually where the condemnation and bringing others down starts.  The most dangerous part of that is, most Christians fail to recognize it. This is also where words start becoming dangerous. 

            I spent most of my life in church but I attended public school until I reached college.  Middle school and high school were some of the worst years of my life.  Simply put, girls were mean.  I came home many nights during that time crying because they would make fun of me, put me down, and push my emotional limits just for the thrill. I didn’t wear Abercrombie and Fitch, I didn’t have Nike Shox, I hung out with a “weird person”, I was too quiet in class, I was a head taller than everyone else, and the list goes on.  Words stuck to me like glue.  Despite all the useless quotes and encouragement about sticks and stones and words not being able to hurt, THEY DID.  A lot.

            I truly think people underestimate the power words have on someone.  Words can tell us which way to go, can help us to describe a picture or something we are looking at, can communicate how we feel with others, and can influence what we think of ourselves.  Think back to when you were a kid.  What kinds of things did you want to hear? I would be willing to bet that you longed to hear “You are such a big boy/girl!” “You are such a great helper!”  “You are very good at sharing.” Am I right? Even during childhood, human beings long to be affirmed by positive words.  Now imagine as a child hearing this instead: “You are not a good little helper.” “You are just like your _______.” “You are a little brat.”  I don’t think we ever wished to hear words like that.  And my point is, we weren’t made to. 

            Christian or not, people were made verbal AND emotional beings.  Some people will thank God for these abilities and others will thank biology.  Regardless, it is imperative that we recognize we were ALL made with the same longing to be affirmed, encouraged, and loved.   And there is absolutely nothing affirming, encouraging, or loving in bringing people down, bullying, or purposely playing on someone’s emotions- for the person doing it or the person receiving it.  My question for those who have stooped to the level of bullying and mistreating people is, are you happy now? Do you feel affirmed as a person in bringing someone else down? Chances are, probably not. There is hurting person behind every hurtful comment made.  Hurt people, hurt people. 

             My point is that words are infinitely powerful.  Though words can mean different things to different people, don’t forget we all share the same desire to be affirmed, encouraged, and loved.  Bring someone up, love them, and encourage them... because affirmed people, affirm people.  Encouraged people, encourage people. And loved people, love people. It all starts with your words.  So please, choose them carefully today.  
             And for those of you who have ever felt beaten down by someone else's words, know that you are not alone.  I hope that someday you will regain the eyes to see the good in people, because trust me, the good is still there, it is just a little dusty.