June 18 , 2007

What Do The Words Really Mean?

Different words affect us all differently based on where we are mentally, emotionally or where we have been in the past.

I have said some things to people just like I am sure you have that resulted in a response that seemed totally uncalled for. At the time I was dumbfounded because of their apparent overreaction. At first I like many of you sat back with my mouth open until I got the revelation that different words affect us all differently, as do different situations based on our past experiences.

The question-Is their reaction our problem or issue or is it something they need to deal with?

I have found myself as many of you have saying things with one meaning and having it taken differently. The other day as I was driving to work God showed me that many automatically assume the worst. They because of past experiences think negatively about the things we say, not because of us, but because of their past.

What does easy mean to you?
What does cuter mean?

I once told a friend that rather than follow the path God had for him, he was trying to find the easy out. I told him, he could do what God wanted or he could find something easier or cuter. I was not trying to offend anyone. It is a true statement and it can be said about any of us. I was totally taken by surprise when his female friend responded that I was judging her.

If someone had said that about me, I would have taken the words as a compliment. I meant easier to get a long, with not as many changes necessary, etc. What did she think I meant and why? Cuter meant, they would laugh at everything you say and go along with the program instead of trying to do what God said and help you accomplish what God wanted. In essence pushing you forward into your destiny.

When I shared the unexpected response with some friends, they didn’t understand the overreaction either, because they knew me. If you find yourself overreacting to comments that are being made, check a couple of things before responding:

1. Make sure you know the spirit behind the comment. If you do not know the person who made it very well, do not respond, seek clarification.
2. If the comment is not being made to you, don’t assume it is about you. Unless your name was specifically used you may be putting yourself into something that you should not. Let those who are in the discussion deal with it. There may be more to what was said than you know.
3. Don’t speak out of your hurt or past pain. The others involved in the conversation may not know where you are coming from. Try to figure out why you feel the way you do and then let God minister to you. Overreactions can be costly.

Well as I was driving to work several weeks after the incident God gave me a revelation about the word easy. Depending on who you are talking to a person might assume you were speaking of them being easy sexually. Girls or women that were given that name because they gave their bodies to men to get what they wanted, in an attempt to secure the relationship or to meet their own physical needs. In some cases these women did not see their worth. They did not believe they had enough value to hold out or that they were worth waiting for.

The women’s response to me was that she was offended by my comment and that her male friend should be also. He never said a word to me about it. I believe he knew my heart and her hurt. Honestly until God gave me this revelation, I did not have a clue why she would be upset. I would challenge all of us to deal with the words that hurt us. When something hurtful is said to you consider where the real hurt is coming from. Does that person even have a clue why I would be hurt or upset about whatever is upsetting me. I did not mean to hurt her. If someone said easy to me it would roll off my back, that word has never been used in relation to me and I would not have any way of knowing how it would affect her. I did not mean to hurt or offend her.

If there are words that mean more to you than anyone knows, ask God to reveal them to you and ask Him to heal that area of hurt, so the words won’t have power any more.

If you are not sure of the heart of the one who spoke the words, in essence you don’t really know them and you know they don’t really know you, so keep silent about what you think they are saying and seek God. The issue may be with you. Give God the opportunity to work it out.

  Weekly Scripture:

Proverbs 2:1-6:1 My child,[a] listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. 2 Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. 3 Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. 4 Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. 5 Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. 6 For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

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