The words of others often bring pain. We hold onto them and allow them to sting us again, and again.

Those we never expected, can turn and thrust us through. We are left bleeding and wondering which way to run.

The words hold fast in our mind and affect us past their time. We take them in and believe them to be truth.

Why does the weight of another’s anger, bitterness, and disregard keep us locked in its vice? Why does our worth hang on the words of others?

We should drop the weight and cling to real truth. Truth that says we are valuable. Truth that says we are loved. Truth that says we are cherished, wanted, highly regarded, and worth the life of the sinless One.

We should remember that we, too, have often caused pain to others. We, too, have often been the bearer of harsh words that cut another through.

Lord, forgive our carelessness to others and help us to forgive the carelessness shown to us. We are imperfect. We see only our perceptions. We see only how we are affected. We do not stop to understand the other side.

Help us show love. Help us grow in love. Help us forgive. Help us heal another. Help us be more like you.

“Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins. Also, do not take seriously all words which are spoken, so that you will not hear your servant cursing you. For you also have realized that you likewise have many times cursed others.” Ecclesiastes 7:20-22