Today I read this quote from Paul Sevillano... "Sticks and stones may break my bones... But words can tear apart, and break my heart." It took me back to my childhood days when we would use a similar statement to ward off bullies and their unkind words... "Sticks and stones may break my bones... But words can never hurt me!" Even then "words" may have not caused physical pain - but I dare say there are few to be found that "words" did not cause lasting wounds that even time has not healed. I also recently read a statement that said... "Be careful with your words, once they are said, they can be only forgiven, not forgotten."
I wonder if that is not why in Proverbs 18:21a the Bible says: "Death and life are in the power of the tongue:" or James 3:8 which says: "But the tongue can no man tame, it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison."
As I ponder the power of words to lift up or tear down... encourage or discourage... bring joy or despair... repair or destroy, I am ever more cautious in what I say and how I listen to the "words" around me.
STICKS, STONES, AND WORDS
CAN DEEPLY HURT US!
