Labels Can Be Hurtful.

We use labels to describe people, places and things. Often the labels we choose are hurtful to others. Carol reminds us how to use of labels.

Puzzle Box Information

Puzzle boxes tell us a few pieces of information about what we are buying. We learn the piece count – whether 500 or 2000 pieces. The picture on the box gives us what the finished product looks like. We read the maker and sometimes about the artist that painted the picture used as a puzzle. But no care instructions are needed. It doesn’t give you an idea of degree of difficulty. The label on puzzles contains minimum information and you need to rely on the look of the picture and number of pieces to guess at the degree of difficulty.

Labels in Our World

Labels exist in this world of ours. They can be irritating, especially ones on our clothing. Some of them refuse to stay hidden and continue to stick out of the top of your shirt no matter how often you or someone else tucks them back in for you. Others poke and scratch, tempting us to remove them which may prove problematic when memory fails and we forget the care instructions for that garment.

Yet these pesky labels, located at various spots on any given piece of clothing, do not tell the complete story. A clothing label will not tell how good this piece will look on us, how much we will enjoy the garment, how well it will fit or what to pair it with to make a stunning outfit. We must look beyond the labels and try it on.

We find labels in more places than on articles of clothing and I do not mean those food labels we are all encouraged to study. We hear labels bandied about in a variety of situations, including about people who learn differently than what is considered normal or average. What’s normal anyway other than a setting on my washing machine?

Negative Labels

Have you ever looked in the mirror, literally or figuratively, and labeled yourself as less than perfect? Have you thought about those ‘if only’s’? You know if only I was thinner, richer, more studious, smarter, or a better . . .  you fill in the blanks. I know I have labeled myself with negative comments more often than I care to admit. Others might have thought those things of me or they might not but that doesn’t stop the labels from poking my mind too often.

Replacing Hurtful Labels

Old hurtful words or labels need to be replaced. There are times politically correct terms such as learning disabled or slow learners replace words like retarded and we applaud the less hurtful, derogatory terms. But what about that internal labeling dialogue that tells us we are too messed up or not good enough for God to use? Do we remember to send Satan’s lies and labels to the garbage bin or do we hang on to them?

Romans 8: 15, “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

Romans 8: 17, “Now if we are children, then we are heirs- heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings. In order that we may also share in his glory.” As believers we wear the label child of God and heir.

Colossians 3: 12, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved clothe yourselves with compassion kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” What a beautiful set of labels to clothe ourselves with.

The Proper Use of Labels

Labels are not just on clothes. Just like clothing labels help us know the specific care needed to keep our garments looking their best for the longest period of time, the proper use of labels for ourselves, in keeping with what God’s Word tells us, helps us know whose we are and what we need to do to stand firm, be courageous, and encourage each other. I challenge all of us to relabel ourselves with how God views us and get rid of the negative ones Satan pokes into us. 

Who can you help? We would love to hear from you. Comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.

---