Words and their power

When I was in seventh grade, I was often bullied because of my height and stature. At "4'11.5" all the kids were much taller and taller than me. Now at 5'6", but just as short, I look back on those days with sorrow in my heart.

Running from the first to the third floor of middle school took everything I had inside of me. Grazing other students' arms and running up the stairs, I was petrified that I was late. I never wanted to be scolded by a teacher, and I never wanted to be less than perfect.

But on a chilly October afternoon, my daily flight up the stairs got stuck. Just as I stumbled upwards, a very tall girl blurred my view.

"What are you doing, elf?" His mocking voice.

"What?" My lips were trembling.

"You're such a puny elf," she laughed, tossing her thick mane hair behind her rounded shoulders and the posse helping her.

"Well, you are—" my voice began.

"What am I?" She wondered.

"You must have a good day," I echoed. Defeated and broken, I rushed around his large size and into my classroom seconds before the bell rang.

Asking to go to the bathroom, I then cried in the bathroom when I should have been in class.

The truth about words

All my life I've been told that "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me", but that couldn't be further from the truth.

It wasn't for me, and it wasn't for Southern author Amanda Seibert either.

The power of words matters, and in my recent interview with Seibert, it's clear that not only our thoughts, but also the way we are spoken to impact our mental health.

In his latest book, Mama, Sing my Song, Seibert explains the power of music and affirming words on your children. As a young adult of twenty-six, I plead for this children's book, not just for children but for all souls who have ever been hurt by the influence of words.

truth and life

As a mother, Seibert wrote Mama, Sing my Song from the bottom of her heart. Believing that every child is uniquely created by God, she says "the words we speak about our little ones can shape them for years to come, and this song is one of the most meaningful ways to touch a life. "

Combining God's truth with living words and music, we discover the power of words that are found again and again in scripture:

Proverbs 18:21 notes: "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it shall eat of its fruits" (ESV).

Ephesians 4:29 adds, "Let no corrupt word come out of your mouth, but only that which is good for edification, according to occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear" (ESV ).< /p>

Matthew 12:36 reminds us, "I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give an account of every unwise word they speak..." (ESV).

Hebrews 4:12 reaffirms, "For the word of God is alive and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (ESV).

The list goes on, proving that the words we speak have great power, so much power that we will be held accountable for every word we speak.

To think that God knows every word before it's even spoken overwhelms me. I can't imagine how the Living Word lives within me, yet so many of us fail to represent the Word with our words every day.

How do you use your words?

I was not exempt from hurtful words as a child, and I was not exempt as a young adult.

I haven't always spoken with the Word of Light within me, but rather with the words of this world that cause pain (even when I don't want to).

But I've learned over the years that, young or old, spoken or kept in my head, our words have such power. Such strength and such power... or such pain and such sorrow.

As Seibert writes in the pages of his songs, "I hope that the truths of this book will sink deep into the hearts of many young people and that years later, as our children make great decisions and will debate who our culture says they should be, that this song will stay etched in their heads in the most wonderful way - always reminding them of who they are and how loved they are."

I believe that God, our Creator and Father of all words, has a similar mission and mindset for all of us today:

Let our words be gracious.

Let our words be kind.

May our words bring healing to the wounded soul and life to the broken.

Let our words speak life.

May our words of...