Wounded by Words

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.                            1 Corinthians 13:4-7

No one sees the cuts and bruises that are inflicted on the inside of a person from verbal and emotional abuse.  It’s hard to prove because there are no visible wounds on the outside.  Your abuser denies his actions and tells you that you are crazy. You have blown the situation out of proportion. You do not know what you are talking about and you begin to believe it. You start second guessing your feelings and once that happens your abuser has gained total control of you.

I longed to be loved unconditionally by my abuser but that never happened. His love depended on how well I behaved that day and if I did everything I was supposed to do in his opinion. If not, it might be days before he would speak to me.

God kept bringing me to the Bible verse 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Love is kind and not easily angered. Love wants the best for you and protects you. You can trust true love.  Once I listened to God I was able to walk away from the abusive relationship and begin to heal from years of verbal and emotional abuse.

The following poem by Connie L. Peters “Wounded by Words” has helped me as I journey to be healed by God’s word after being so wounded by my abuser’s words. 

Wounded by Words

Connie L. Peters

Wounded by words—

No gaping hole

No blood

No bruise—

Only a deep unseen slash that pierces the soul.

It is more painful than any physical laceration.

It servers,

Paralyzes,

Aborts progress, productivity, and joy,

And sabotages a fulfilled life.

Lord, heal me from this wound.

Help me speak blessings and hope in return.

God, turn this around for my good,

And for the good of the person who wounded me.

Lord, all things are possible with you.

Let your Words have preeminence,

For your Words are truth—

A cleansing wash,

A healing balm.

You speak life and healing,

Hope and truth,

Joy and peace.

Let me be

Healed by Words.