Wounds...

I'm going a bit deep and personal here today, talking about wounds, wounds that last for years, not the physical type of wounds obviously but emotional wounds, that you may or may not realize you are carrying around. Whoever said words can't hurt isn't telling the truth, words do hurt, statements that may seem rather innocent, maybe somewhat truthful to another individual do hurt. There have been wounds I have been carrying around for years, these wounds have controlled me and have pushed me down and continue to push me down. 
For years, I have let these wounds even though I didn't realize it at the time determine how successful I think I could be, how confident I viewed myself, and how I viewed myself as a person in general. So when people say sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me they are seriously wrong.
It doesn't matter who said the things, it doesn't matter the exact things that were said but what does matter is what I choose to do with them. For several years, like I said without realizing it, I let those words affect me in how I performed or how far in this life I could go. 

So I choose today not to let those words affect me any longer. I have been carrying this yoke for so long and it has gotten so heavy.  I choose to break free from the words that have held me down for so long. And guess what? I don't have to do it alone. I have my heavenly Father to guide me, to give me confidence when I ask for it, to help me break free of these words that have held me down for so long. 

Galatians 5:1 tells me so. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. 
My yoke of slavery are the words said to me so long ago, and I have let them define me who I thought I was and what I thought I could accomplish.
This is my challenge to myself to not listen to those wounds, the yoke of slavery I have been carrying around and not let them define my future anymore. But let God define who I am, to allow Him to show me who I am in Him, a beautiful creation, a child of God. I want to feel like this photo, to let go of those wounds that have held me down, to be free and not carry this yoke any longer!


Do you have wounds you are still carrying around? Holding a grudge against someone that was said to you? Do you let these wounds define your self-image?

40 comments:

CALLIE said...

Let Go and Let God!! Go girl :)

Jamie Harris said...

Great post, Meg!

Ashley said...

Great post!! It is inspiring, yet difficult to practice!!

Holly said...

YAY!!!! You are amazing Meg!!! I, too, have wounds I carry around with me every day from my past and I let them hold me back from doing certain things. I'm not ready to let them go yet, but this is so inspiring and I'm going to pray about it so that I CAN let them go!! You rock!!

Karen said...

Be free Meg!!!

Leeann @ Join the Gossip said...

I think we all have wounds we carry. Unfortunately it comes with life. Good for you for realizing you have them and dealing with them. That will only make you a better, stronger person :)

Anonymous said...

It's life to have hurtful things said to bring us down sometimes but it's the power within ourselves to fight it, to not let something terrible destroy us.

Good for you for letting go. If I could, I would give you a hug and a high-five for being the bigger person today.

*Hug*
*Super awesome high-five*

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Good for you lady. Those words can only have power over you if you let them. Banish them!

Ruthie Hart said...

I LOVE what Callie said...Let Go and Let God

Lia Joy said...

Wow. Thank you for this post and that scripture. I think we all have wounds, some deeper than others. I definitely have wounds that I carry around with and some days they just really bring me down. It's a great reminder to lay those wounds/worries before the Lord.

So thankful for a God who tells us “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matt 11:28-30

Tyler said...

Great post! It's so hard to get to this exact point, but when you do, it feels amazing!

Erin said...

Hi Meg! Thanks for your sweet comment on my blog! This was a great post and one I'm sure so many people can relate to. You go girl!! :)

Erin @ Sunny Side Up

Aimee said...

Perfect post, Meg. Perfect. Thank you for sharing what was on your heart!

BeckyJo606 said...

You go girl! I think it is so very true that we can carry around words with us for WAY too long. I know I'm really good at that. :( I hope you know what a wonderful person you are--and how your ability to open up is going to help so many others (including myself)! You have such a great way with words and I am so thankful we are blogging friends!!

Kristen said...

I loved this post and I love how honest you are! I'm currently trying to let go of emotional wounds, so thank you for the words of wisdom. And ps I pretty much just read every post on your blog and I'm in love. You seem to be just a sweetheart, and your recipes...oh your recipes...they're going to get me into trouble, I can tell =)

Rod and Alex - aka: "Rolex" said...

Excellent post! From time to time I have to remind myself to just "let go" and free myself of a burden I have allowed myself to carry. Not "letting go" can truly can effect our lives in unimaginable ways.
This is a great reminder to all of us! Thank you!

Jess said...

We all have things we need to work on girl! Even if we try to not let things get to us, it can still be hard to let go. Hang in there!

Sarah said...

Great for you, Meg!

Mrs. Pancakes said...

I always appreciate your honesty and vulnerability! Thanks for sharing and I do hope that God continues to be with you throughout this time!

dani said...

Thank you for being so real and honest!

I'm not a grudge-holder against others, but I definitely keep hurtful words with me for a long time. It can be so hard to let go and rise above those painful feelings. I think it gets easier as time goes on and we grow up and realize we are who we are meant to be and should never apologize for that. :)

Funny, as a preschool teacher, I was just telling a coworker how incredibly misleading that "Sticks & Stones" rhyme is - awful!

<3

Meggan said...

AMEN! It is so hard to let things go and truly give them to God, but it feels so great when you do and it is what He wants for us. Your post is inspiring and I love your transparency :) xoxo

Alexa said...

Ah Meg. Such a freeing post. Glad you can let those words go.

Kate @ Daffodils said...

Im glad you have made peace!

... said...

Such a great post today Miss Meg! :) WE are all carrying around baggage and hurtful words that others have said to us...we need to give it all up and just move forward...show grace, even when we don't want to...and allow God's love to reflect through our actions and in our lives! :)

Simply LKJ said...

Great post Meg!! I think we all go through this at some point in our lives. Good for you for recognizing it, putting it in the past, and moving forward. I have always loved the "footprints" sentiment for this very reason, the road is not ours to travel alone!

Susan said...

Meg, I'm so happy that you're letting go and letting the Lord take the lead. I so have been trying the same thing lately. It's true! Yesterday I literally was telling myself this same thing. I can't let myself feel inadequate. I know that I am worth it because I have someone in my corner telling me that I am. Once we pick up our pieces and let go, we feel so much better. I'm proud of you! Way to go!

Anonymous said...

Powerful words. Thank you for sharing, Meg <3

Nicole-Lynn said...

Wow, what a powerful post! I can relate to you on so many levels... thank you for this!

Glad you're letting it go, and giving it to God!

Darby Hawley said...

Meg, you're such a great encourager for others through your own actions! Good for you for depending on the Lord to strengthen you to overcome your wounds! Your blog is such a blessing thank you!

Amanda said...

Such a powerful post, and such a huge step, Meg! I'm really proud of you! I am also guilty of caring wounds with me, and this is a great reminder that it's time to let go. Just let go. Thank you for that reminder!

Catalina Aldridge said...

Wound... BE GONE~! :)

Michelle said...

I think everyone carries them around. You can either repress them and let them fester or say "WHO CARES" and let them go. You are so strong and you're making a choice to let them go. woo hoo!

katie [the bright life] said...

Awesome, Meg! Glad that you are freeing yourself from the trap that words can be for so many of us. You are beautiful, and God loves your heart! Xo, Katie

Ashley said...

Thank you so much for this inspirational post Meg!

Stephanie said...

I am so happy you are letting these go! It's tough, but they weigh you down so much and aren't worth it!! Good for you!

henning love said...

@everyone, i dont usually like doing massive comment responses but thank you so much for the love. it took me awhile to get to the point to realize what i was fighting and this was the result. i appreciate the support and encouragement you all provided!!

Unknown said...

I can relate to this post a lot... thanks for posting. I have struggled with wounds of various kinds that have popped up in the last few years and it is hard to let them go.

Elle Sees said...

i tend to hold more grudges against myself, but who could honestly have any mean words about you? you're amazing!

Stephanie @ SKWestDesigns said...

Love your honesty. I think each and every one of us can relate. Thank you for sharing.

http://skwestdesigns.blogspot.com/

Val Fox said...

This is a beautiful post Meg! Thank you for sharing! I love that verse.