To the People I've Hurt

BIBLICAL POINT OF REFERENCE:

"All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling must be removed from you, along with all malice. [And] be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ."

~Ephesians 4:31-32

Words are powerful—so powerful, that, despite trying our hardest to forget what others say or write, words still seem to have a certain hold over us that actions do not. It doesn’t matter if someone says something they don’t mean; it still hurts, it still stings, and it still leaves a long-lasting bruise.

I should know—I’ve left many of those bruises on others. I’m sure we all have, but that’s not the point.

The point is that I’m sorry.

I often preach that actions speak louder than words, and yet words are my first and sometimes only line of defense. I seek to say something instead of to listen, and then I’ve hurt people in two ways: first, by tearing them apart with my words, and second, by not allowing them to be heard.

I can’t apologize enough to the people I’ve hurt, and something tells me that just saying the words, “I’m sorry” aren’t going to cut it. So what’s my plan of action?

I’m going to start by praying more. Praying to see the love in everyone that God sees. Praying to allow peace in my mind instead of anger. Praying that I learn to listen instead of using powerful and hurtful words.

Then, I’m going to build my relationship back up again with you. You know who you are. I’ve been a real jerk to you, and I’m not going to excuse my words and actions of the past. But I am going to move forward in the future, and I hope you know that I want you in my future.

The only other words you need to hear right now are I love you. I may have lost sight of how important it is to tell you that. Those words mean the world, because they are a reflection of God Himself.

So to the people I’ve hurt, know that I’m going to be better for God, for you, and for myself.

With love,

Callie

Check out the WHEN LIFE DRAGS YOU DOWN and REGRET quotes pages for more inspiration!