“What is wrong with his face”?
There was a young man who suffered from a skin disease and he was standing at the end of the register bagging groceries like he did every day when two females come through getting groceries. The one begins to stare at him and then whispers loud enough for him to hear, “What is wrong with his face”. The other looked embarrassed just smiles uncomfortably. This man still remembers these powerful words till this day.
This week, I have posted about the power of words. The power of positive words which are kind and encouraging. The power of negative words as heard in people with “potty mouths”, gossip, and slander. The power of the powerful phrases like “Thank You”, “I am sorry”, and “I Forgive you”. I hope that in this post and in those other posts you have seen and understood the power of words – both in a positive way and a negative way.
Back to the opening line – “What’s wrong with his face?”
That line was said to me when I was in college. I am the one with skin disease (sever cystic acne) which caused a lot of scaring on my face. I was the bagger at the end of the register bagging groceries the day the mother and her little girl came through the line. I know that the little girl was not trying to hurt me by asking her mother what was wrong with my face. I want you to know it has been over 20 years since this happened and I still remember it like it was yesterday. You know what this shows to me? This shows the power of words.
Here is the thing; I have not allowed the innocent words of that little girl 20 years ago ruin or run my life. I must admit when it first happened I was bothered by the words she said because they were powerful. Now what this has done for me is this: it has served as a good reminder for me of words have power. If the innocent words of a little girl over 20 years ago can stick in my mind like this then I need to think hard about the words I say everyday. Think about the negative things that we say everyday and what that does to people? Then again, what about the encouraging words that you and I say each day? Words are powerful – we need to be so careful with them.
Let us be people who leave then negative words behind and choose the powerful words that are positive to make a difference in this life. Tell others today – thank you, I am sorry, I am proud of you, I believe in you, I love you, I forgive you, Forgive me, You Matter, You are precious to me, You are beautiful, and I’ll fight with you . Use kind and encouraging words – these will make your life and the lives of others better! If we do this, it will help us to show others Christ in a real way!
What are the most powerful words ever spoken to you?
Jim, you matter.
Thank you for writing.
Thank you Bob. I appreciate you and your encouragement!
Excellent article. I am so blown away by it that I’ve posted it as a “must read” on my Facebook page.
Nike – Thank you very much. I am honored that you would post it on your Facebook page! Thanks again for reading, commenting, and sharing. God Bless.
Thank you so much for the reminder!!! Blessings!
Mid
Thank you for reading and commenting Mid! God Bless.
I know you are specifically dealing with words…but your post made me think of something my wife once told me.
My wife was born with a genetic condition called Klippel-Feil Syndrome. It’s a rare disease which has any number of symptoms including fused vertebrate and limited mobility. The most visible effect in my wife is in her neck. All of her life people have stared at her when she is out in public…
She knows people are just wondering what has caused her appearance, but at the same time, it has made her very self-conscious.
She is a beautiful woman both in and out… yet the words and stares of others, have inflicted lasting harm upon her.
We need to be careful with our words and actions as we deal with others. We may never know the lasting effect they have.
Thanks for sharing this Dusty. You are so right – we need to be so careful with not only words but with looks and actions. Thanks again Dusty.
Your words hit me in a spot few can reach. I too have cystic acne (along with a host of other illnesses), and I’ve had it since middle school. People don’t understand, and as a result, their words can be hurtful. Thank you for your encouragement today.
Adrian – I am glad that the words God gave me were an encouragement to you. I can speak to the pain that comes from the cystic acne – it was really tough when I was young – the older I have gotten – it has gotten better. Thanks for reading and commenting my friend!
Jim, I linked into this through Nike’s Facebook page. It is so true that people are affected by our words, one way or another. Another thing that I see in this is God takes the difficult things in life to strengthen us, give us wisdom, and make us empathetic toward others. Thank you for sharing your heart.
Pat – thank for reading and commenting! I think you are so right with God using the difficult things in life to strengthen us, give us wisdom, and give us empathy. Thanks for sharing that!
Thank you for sharing that Jim. I can never forget the first time my teacher called me a “Spic” in front of all the class. I was so angry that I wanted to beat her down. Words do have power and they can scar a person for life.
Dude – seriously she did that!?! I can only imagine the anger.
Words have power – they can scar or they can inspire!
Thanks Moe!
You nailed it Jim!! I have met you and am not ashamed to say that you are a beautiful person inside and out. I was once very insecure about my bowed legs and less than white teeth and now no hair. But nothing can match what you and Dusty’s wife and Adrian and thousands of others must feel. Thanks for having the courage to print this. But more…for allowing God to take you beyond the hurt and pain and growing you into the man of God you are.
Thanks Bill – you too are a beautiful person inside and out. I am thankful to God for how he made me and what he made me like. I am to say the least…unique… and I love it!
Thank for reading and commenting my friend!
Good stuff Jim. Always a great exercise when we take things that have hurt us as reminders how not to hurt others.
Thanks Alex – it is always a great exercise. Thanks for reading and commenting!
What a perfect example of the power of words. I still remember some negative words that have been spoken into my life. But I reflect and chose to focus on the positive and empowering words others have spoken to me. Great personal story and post.
It is a choice to focus on the positive and a good one. Thank Dan!
Wow, Jim. I don’t know you very well at all, but I agree with what others have shared. It is amazing that a hurt so deep has not caused you to react to the world out of bitterness and resentment. You have a heart for others and true empathy. This post makes me want to read even more of your words. Thank you for sharing something so personal. I pray that God continues to use your wounds as examples of His grace and glory.
It is truly all God and His grace that have helped me move through some of the tough things in life. Thanks for the kind words and thanks for reading and commenting Keri!