I got this tattoo to remind me to shut the hell up. Like, shutting up literal Hell, and blocking it from coming out of my speech and words.
I’m a reformed mean girl, to put it pleasantly. I have always had the noble gift of discernment and communication… and I have not always used them for noble causes. In my teens and early twenties I wielded bluntness like a weapon, and I was very good at finding that weak spot in someone’s argument or sense of self, exploiting it, and becoming a total wordthatshouldntbeputhere in the process.
That didn’t immediately go away when I found salvation in Christ. Honestly, the ability to be mean and offensive was a coping mechanism I used to soothe the anger and resentment I felt at myself and others around me, and one that I had been building up over a decade. It was a personality trait, and one that I enjoyed, and got some laughs from.
When God comes to change you, sometimes He changes the parts you liked a lot, or the parts that dictated your identity. I struggled with that a lot, honestly. Not because I WANTED to keep being mean, but because being witty and clever had become an identifier for me. Even when I didn’t wield it responsibly, even when I felt bad afterwards, even if it was really funny to me and everyone else in the moment.
Because let’s be honest. I’m hilarious. 😏
Anyways. I listened to a sermon on James, talking about the tongue. And then I read Proverbs 12:18. My face started feeling hot. Because I KNOW he’s not talking about me… but like, it kinda sounds like he’s talking about me. Is this a biblical subtweet? Is this judgment? Nope… worse. Or better, depending on your view of correction:
This was CONVICTION.
I prayed that God would take the taste for those quick words out of my mouth. Make me stumble and stutter or lose my train of thought if it’s something that isn’t going to honor myself or the person I’m irritated with. And let’s be real, take the taste out of my thumbs. How many of yall have I argued with on Facebook using these dang thumbs? 😮💨
So yeah. I got this tattoo to remind me to shut the Hell in my mouth up, and let heaven flow out instead. It’s a permanent pop up window giving me a second to pause, reflect, and ask myself… am I more focused on being right, or am I seeking understanding? Am I about to slash this person, or can I bring healing to this?
Anyways. Here’s your reminder to shut the Hell up today. You can view the scripture references below, and check out a few self-reflection questions to add into your faith journal! I would love to see how your perspective shifted after reading this.
Love you,
CG 🕊️🤍
—
Scripture references:
Book of James, Chapter 3
Proverbs 12:18, ESV: “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."
Reflection questions:
Think about a situation- like an argument with a partner, a meeting with a colleague, etc.- was made worse by you not using your words responsibly. If you could go back, what would you say differently? (James 3:6)
How have you encouraged someone or shown mercy through your words? How has someone been peaceful or considerate with you through their words? (James 3:17)
Who can you bring healing to today with your words? (Proverbs 12:18)