Thoughts on Words: A Series (maybe)

Words can do many things. They can build, and destroy. Words can be spoken out of love or hate. They can be accepted with pleasure or bitterness. I have been pondering the innumerable and endless ways word are offered and received. The following thoughts are on how we can receive and sort through the things people say to us. 

The ties to family, be them positive or negative, usually mean that their words bear a heavier weight than words from friends or acquaintances. We tend to take what our family says with us, even if it hurts. Even if it is harmful. Even if it is degrading and scornful. Sometimes words are meant to inflict injury, and others cause pain unintentionally. I want to suggest something: perhaps it is not all about how the words were intended. Some relationships are what they are, and they may never change. I think that, even in a wary or resented relationship, we can glean the positive, and discard the waste. Do not concern yourself with others thoughts on you, your life, your choices. They may say hurtful things, trying to prod you in the direction of a path they think you should take. Throw away the hurt. Try to gather an edifying morsel from the words. If someone tells you that you should be doing something 'better' with your life, yet you know you are in the best place for the time, rest in the peace that you are where you should be and that you contain amazing potential that others can easily see. You are where you belong. Relish what you have, even if is little. If you are using what you have to honor God, you are a pleasing offering in His eyes; and His are the only eyes that matter.


This may be an extremely cheesy analogy, but: Be like the sword of Gryffindor. In Harry Potter, the sword of Gryffindor is a magical goblin made weapon. It is, as far as anyone can tell, indestructible and uncontainable. The sword may be in one place then vanish, only to turn up where it is most needed. The quality I most admired about it is that it 'only takes in that which makes it stronger.'  The sword may be wielded against anything, but when it comes into contact with a quality that would cause it to have a wider, more useful application, it absorbs that ability. Try to apply that concept, consciously make an effort to take in that which will make you stronger, and make peace with and walk away from the rest.

I am trying to apply this practice in my own life, and felt like it may be encouraging to someone else as well. I hope so.