Names Can Hurt You (Psalms 41:7-8)

All who hate me whisper together against me; against me they devise my hurt. “An evil disease,” they say, “clings to him. And now that he lies down, he will rise up no more.
Psalms 41:7-8

We have all heard the nursery school rhyme, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” It is likely that all of us have been on the receiving end of name calling. And it often comes when we are already burdened by another problem or issue, hitting us when we are down. Perhaps there is no physical hurt, but the emotional scars are sometimes far deeper and lasting than a physical one. The writer of this Psalm reminds us of that. But God does not abandon us. We can find comfort in God’s answer given a few verses later.

As for me, You uphold me in my integrity, and set me before Your face forever.
Psalms 41:12

The hurt and pain are real but God’s strength and justice are infinitely greater. He knows the truth and will vindicate us in the end. In His name there is no hurt. In His name, we are more than conquerors by confessing our sins, repenting, and trusting in the name of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

Amen!

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.