The Power of Words Revisited
The Power of Words Revisited
“But I tell you, on the day of judgement people will have to give an accounting for every careless word they speak. For by your words, you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:36-37 ESV
I don’t know if you have been following the story of Dr. Antoinett Candia-Bailey who died by suicide on January 8, she was the VP of Student Affairs at Lincoln University in Missouri. According to those close to her, she was subjected to a toxic work environment enduring alleged bullying and harassment from the president of the school and other university officials. Despite her numerous attempts to seek support and address the issue, she was left unsupported and disregarded. She put pen to paper writing a letter the day she died detailing the bullying she faced after disclosing her mental illness to the university officials.
The closing part of her letter she says:
If your soul is empty, troubled, in despair, and you see red flags, leave. Don’t try to stick around. My soul can now rest. I’ve filled my earthly dash, March 1974- January 2024. A seat has been prepared for me.
Friends her story is only one of the many tragedies in our country today. Did you know that in 2023 more than 50,000 Americans died by suicide. This is more than any year on record. This incident got me thinking about the power of WORDS. Words are a powerful force in humanity. Look at how they have impacted our world today. On one hand they have stirred up hatred, violence, and division. On the other, they empower, help, and heal. Words have energy, both good and bad. They can draw us in or drive us away.
Words hurt without permission. Did you hear me friends? This is why positive affirmations are so important. They promote self-love as we build awareness of who we are and what we need in our lives, it generates compassion that extends past mistakes and failures, and self-acceptance.
Mental health is real. God wants us to not only be physically well, but mentally health too. Don’t go it alone, there are a lot of resources and programs out there to help:
Preventureprogram.com, Silence the Shame, MDLive online counseling, Anxiety and Depression Association of America, and 988 Lifeline.
Remember friends, we are each others’s keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.
