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<v SPEAKER_00>God's word says the tongue has the power of life and death.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Our words carry weight, and that weight can be crushing when words are used to cut down, belittle, or discourage.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Over months or years, that weight can bury a person's true identity under layers of criticism and cruelty until they no longer recognize their own worth apart from what they were told.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Today we are going to let God's word remind us of what is true.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Rebuilding a sense of worth after the long-term effects of damaging words rarely follows a straight line.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Today's passages don't rush to that healing, but they offer a steady anchor for the days when the old voices feel louder than the truth.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Psalm 34.18 says, The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Isaiah 61.3 says that God gives his people a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and the garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Notice where God positions himself in the Psalm.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Ashes for beauty, mourning for joy, despair for praise.

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<v SPEAKER_00>God offers redemption for what is broken.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Jesus, you are mocked, mischaracterized, and spoken to with cruelty, yet you never let those voices define you.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Thank you that you are near to the brokenhearted, not distant.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Ask the Holy Spirit to bring gently to the surface any specific words that have shaped how you see yourself, whether spoken recently or years ago.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Bring that lie honestly before God and ask him to replace it with what he actually says about you.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Pray that the Holy Spirit will draw especially close to them in the moments they feel most alone in their healing.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Ask God to surround them with safe people, wise counsel, and communities that speak truth and life over them.

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<v SPEAKER_00>We ask you to finish the healing that only you can complete.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Amen.