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The childhood rhyme, Sticks and stones may break my
bones, but words will never hurt me, has a long history
of helping children deal with bullying.
We Individually Control the Effect
You may be like me. I learned the rhyme when I was a child,
and then taught it to my children. I've even used it as
an adult, to remind me that people's words can't hurt me
unless I let them. I can't control people and what they
say, but I can control the effect their words have upon
me.
Not long ago, some kids were playing and harmlessly teasing
one of their peers. I went up to the one being annoyed by
her friends and said, "If you don't let it bother you, they'll
quit. They're only teasing you because it bothers you."
In other words, you can control the effect their words
have upon you. If you don't let it have a negative effect,
they'll usually stop.
A Man Called Me the Devil
A few years ago, I took my car to the repair shop. I spoke
to a man who dropped off a van, and he began telling me
about miracles. I told him I didn't believe people could
perform miracles today. Then he turned and hurried off,
repeatedly turning around and calling me the devil.
I admit, hearing someone call me the devil made me hesitate
and contemplate the words. But then I silently laughed,
amused by what happened, feeling sorry for the man.
I decided not to let his words bother me, seeing the humor
in such an event and replaying it in my mind -- a man running
from me, turning around and calling me the devil. The saddest
thing, though, is that he really thought I was the devil,
because I told him the truth.
Listen to Jesus
The Jews accused Jesus of being Satan (Matt. 10:25), an
event He used to teach His disciples not to fear men.
Jesus teaches us that people maligned Him; and they'll
malign us, His disciples -- we can't expect people to treat
us better than they treated our Lord (Matt. 10:25).
In teaching us this lesson, Jesus gives this command, "Do
not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill
the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both
soul and body in hell" (Matt. 10:28).
When people malign us, we should remember Jesus' teaching
on this topic.
- We should remember that this behavior is common. It
happened to Jesus, and it'll happen to us (Matt. 10:24-25).
- God knows what is happening and will take care of us
(Matt. 10:29-31).
- Don't fear men, fear God (Matt. 10:28).
Focus on Your Relationship With God
No matter what others do, our job is to focus on our relationship
with God. This is a lesson Peter teaches from Jesus' persecution
and suffering, saying, "nor was any deceit found in His
mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return;
while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting
Himself to Him who judges righteously" (1 Pet. 2:22-23).
The childhood rhyme, Sticks and stones may break my
bones, but words will never hurt me, teaches a valuable
lesson everyone should remember, even Christians. Words
can't hurt us, unless we let them.
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