Ignorant Talk of Foolish People

Sticks and stones may break my bones by words will never hurt me.

If only that rhyme was true, life would be easier. But words do hurt. A lot.

I've been at the receiving end of some harsh words and I'm sure I'm not the only one. It's hard enough to hear someone speak badly about you, but it is even harder when the ignorant words are not even close to being true. You know what I'm talking about: When people deliberately tell lies about you with the intent to harm you. Why? Why do people weave lies with the intent to harm others?

I don't know. But what I do know is that God has a plan to prosper me and not to harm me, to give me hope and a future. I know this because the Bible states it in Jeremiah 29:11.

So, why then, would He allow people to slander me? Why allow me this suffering?

After praying, to find the answer I turn to my personal favorite books in the Bible: 1 and 2 Peter.

1 Peter 2:12 directs us to, "Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us."

I may not know in the moment why God allows people to say hurtful to me or about me, but I do know it is God's will that by doing good I should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.

I will stand firm on God's word and I trust in His promises. God will take care of the rest.