H is for Hurt

“I’m sorry I wasn’t enough for you.”
There was no humor in her voice but he hoped she was joking. Surely, she couldn’t be hurt by his hunger. Julia wouldn’t meet his eyes, so he pulled her tight against him. Her rigidity melted quickly in David’s strong embrace.”
-          Loathe Your Neighbor ch. 17


Many years ago, I spent some time with an awesome bunch of people when I did two schools and two tours with YWAM, (Youth With A Mission). My friends and I had an in joke which I won’t attempt to explain. The tag line was ‘that really hurt me dude’. It was said in a mock emotionally injured tone. A joke. As I think about that neat little slice of esotericism, I am reminded of Proverbs 26:18 & 19 which says, ‘Like a maniac who throws firebrands, arrows and death is the man who deceives his neighbor and says “I am only joking.” We say a lot of hurtful things to each other for the sake of a laugh, and most of it is probably water off a duck’s back. If a ‘put down’ culture exists then those within that culture know the rules. However, I think  people tend to underestimate the power of their words to injure people. Even, if only as a result of a misunderstanding, words can be deadly. Those who have been burned by the cruel words of
others are especially vulnerable to the attack of a maniac who throws firebrands. Do your words give life to others?