Do you like games? I love games! So, let’s do a Word Search puzzle!
There are 6 horizontal or vertical words that describe people in the puzzle below. See if you can find the words that you feel identify you!
Hint: The first letter of each word and their number of letters are: L (5), H (5), U (4), B (9), F (7), S (10).
The completed puzzle is at the bottom of this blog.
Did you find all 6 words? If you did, then you must have played this game before. Either that or you are just plain smart!
What words did you find? Of the three positive words and three negative ones, could you identify with any of them? Although we all want to hear positive words describing ourselves, from time to time many of us have heard negative words. Have you?
Do you remember how we replied to negative words as kids; “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me?” After we said it, we would stick out our tongues and run like the wind to get away from the bully.
Although that old saying may have been our response, a more untrue statement has never been said. Words hurt. If you describe yourself more with negative words than positive ones, let’s see if we can give you a new perspective.
First understanding why people say hurtful things can help our perspective.
Who says negative, hurtful things to another person? Hurtful words are often spoken by people who are angry, frustrated, hurt, don’t like themselves or are bullies. It doesn’t excuse their behavior; it just explains it a little. Sometimes understanding can help us to forgive them and forgiving helps us. (Matthew 6:14)
How about us? After all, we are the recipients of those negative words.
Listening to negative words has a powerful impact upon us. The more we hear them, the more we believe them- even when they are lies. Whether someone else is speaking them or we are thinking them about ourselves, it affects the way we view ourselves.
They make us doubt our own self-worth and forget who God created us to be
and the abundant life He has for us.
Negative words often make us feel unloved, rejected, worthless. They break our hearts. The more we think about those negative words, the more power they have over us.
When we have a broken bone, the doctor mends it.
But who mends our broken hearts from negative words spoken to us?
Have you guessed the answer yet?
God is the one who can mend our hearts.
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3
Ok. So, I ask Him to mend my broken heart. What next?
1. BELIEVE WHAT GOD SAYS ABOUT YOU.
It’s a faith thing. Those negative words and thoughts are not loving and are not from our loving God. Believe the words in the Bible that God says about you are true.
I will praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are your works;
and that my soul knows very well, Psalm 139:14
2. CONTRADICT THOSE NEGATIVE WORDS! SAY POSITIVE WORDS OUT LOUD!
I AM LOVED!
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
1 John 4:10 NIV
Wow! Think about that for a minute. The Almighty God of all creation loves us even if we don’t love Him!
God loves us, warts and all. He even loves the bully. His love is not something we earn. We do not have to be perfect to receive it. It’s for every one of us, right now. No matter who we are, what we look like or what we have done. His love is unconditional.
I AM BEAUTIFUL!
Inner beauty trumps outer beauty! The more we grow with God, the more our inner beauty will shine through. Hey men, this means you too! Have confidence in who God created you to be!
Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. 1 Peter 3:3-4
THROUGH GOD, I AM SUCCESSFUL!
Rather than measure success by the world’s standards, measure them by God’s standards.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2
What are God’s standards?
Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31
Will we all meet God’s standards perfectly? No! God did not create us to be perfect. We will fail. What our heart does when we fail is what counts. Do we turn to God? If so, that my friend, is success!
Think and speak positive words about yourself! It’s good for you!
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.
Proverbs 16:24
3. BELIEVE GOD’S OPINION IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANYONE ELSE’S
God’s opinion is that He loves you just the way you are, (1 John 4:10). You are important to Him!
Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Matthew 6:26
Wow! God loves me just as I am!
If anyone else has a positive opinion of me, it’s just icing on the cake!
Jesus faced more rejection than any of us will ever face, (Isaiah 53:3). Because He faced such rejection, He can identify with any rejection and broken heartedness we face. He knows our pain and our sorrow and He loves us so much that He wants to heal it. Just like you would want to do for someone you love.
With Jesus, your heart can heal!
REFLECTION
Have you believed negative words said about you? Can you replace at least one negative word with a positive one that Jesus says about you?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, as I write Psalm 147:3 and say it out loud, heal my broken heart. Forgive me for accepting those negative words said about me and help me to replace them with Your loving words. Help me know in my very soul, that I am your marvelous creation because you do not make mistakes. Help me to see myself as the person you created me to be and how very much you love me.
IN FAITH, BELIEVE GOD’S WORDS OF TRUTH ABOUT YOU
To read more about our negative thoughts, see my blog; Faith for God’s Truth – WHAT ARE YOU THINKING? – DianeLese
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Thanks so much!
May your day be filled with love and laughter!
For information on making Jesus Christ your Savior, email me or visit, http://www.peacewithgod.net/
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Photo of giraffe by Aidas Ciziunas, unsplash
Photo of cake by American Heritage Chocolate, unsplash
