Christianity Oasis Forum

[eharris0825]

Just completed Day 5 on "Incest Healing." It's so true what it says about how we label each other. I teach at an elementary/middle school and it breaks my heart to see how kids label one another and how awful kids tease one another. It's a LOT worse now than when I was growing up. I cringe when I hear some of the words that come out of their mouth, at such a young age, even the kindergartners. I'm constantly telling them how hurtful their words are.

Joyce Meyer said something that was pretty profound...she said that "Hurting people, hurt people." And this is so true. We only say mean things to or about one another because we're trying to avoid the hurt that we feel inside ourselves. I remember growing up, I was skinny, dark skinned with short hair with a gap between my two front teeth before I got braces. Kids used to make fun of my skin tone and of having short hair. I remember kids, even my sisters and brothers calling me, "bald headed" since my hair was so short. It hurt me so much throughout the years and when I hear it coming out of the mouths of kids today, talking about other kids, it makes me go back to when I was called those names. Words deepley hurt and the saying that says, "Sticks & Stones May Break Your Bones But Names Will Never Hurt You" is a LIE! Words do hurt people but it is up to us to know who we are in Christ and not allow those words to affect us.

I wish that I knew back then that people do not define our identity but God does. It would have saved me much heartache of the mistakes that I made growing up, due to low self-esteem. Thank God I'm a new creature in Christ and that God sees us from the inside out, unlike the world who sees us from the outside in. We are God's precious jewels, regardles of how we look, act, feel, our background, race, economic status...none of that matters to God. He is not a respecter of person. And I love God sooo much for helping me to see the real me, and not having to pretend to be anyone else but me. He's showing me how to be the real me and I'm learning to not only love myself, but to also like myself and embrace who I really am and who God created me to be.

God is never boring...with Him, it's ALWAYS an ADVENTURE! God loves us this much...

[Zinnia]

Thank you for sharing that! I'm glad you have worked through the hurt from your childhood and have seen your real worth in God's eyes. I also glad that you work in a school because you can make a difference! Just by pointing out to those who are being hurtful, you are changing lives. God put you in the right spot! Don't get discouraged if you feel that they aren't listening to you. Judge not each day by the harvest but by the seed planted!

~K

[deetu]

hi eharris, I felt lead to read this post and also to post this link that fits
viewtopic.php?f=125&t=19208
not only is it interesting read for you but maybe can use it to help your students.
fantastic you see your freedom now

[Dora]

eharris I'm glad you are finding healing through the Holy Spirit.