Never Give Up: Hostage – the Story We Tell OurselvesSample

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Day 2: Words That Wound, Words That Heal

Peter’s Denial and Jesus’ Restoration

Peter, one of Jesus’ closest followers, boldly declared that he would never abandon Him. But when pressure came, Peter denied Jesus three times—just as Jesus had predicted. After the rooster crowed, Peter wept bitterly, ashamed and broken. But Jesus didn’t leave Peter in his shame. Later, He lovingly restored him by asking three times, “Do you love Me?” With each answer, Jesus offered grace, calling Peter back into his purpose.

The Last Words I Never Meant

We never forget the words we regret.

I was ten years old when I said the most devastating words of my life: “Cheryl, I hope you die.”

To understand how I got there, you need to know who Cheryl was. She was our new babysitter—a vibrant, kind-hearted woman who brought laughter and peace into a home that had seen too much pain. She was different from anyone I had known. Gentle. Patient. Affirming. She didn’t yell or threaten. She corrected us with love and celebrated even the smallest victories.

She became like family.

One day, my father was scheduled to pick me up. I didn’t want to go with him. I was angry and frustrated, though I didn’t really understand why. Cheryl gently tried to encourage me to get ready. But something inside me snapped. I lashed out with words I didn’t mean. “I hope you die,” I yelled as I stormed up the stairs.

It was just a sentence. A terrible, immature, angry sentence from a hurting ten-year-old. But it would be the last thing I ever said to her.

That night, Cheryl and her boyfriend Dennis got into an altercation with a reckless driver. They thought it was over, but the man followed them. While driving his car, he rammed into the back of their motorcycle. Cheryl was thrown off and trapped under the vehicle. The driver never stopped. She was dragged 275 feet to her death.

When I came home and heard what had happened, I was paralyzed. The only thing I could think of were those final words: “I hope you die.”

In my ten-year-old mind, I was certain that I had caused her death. Guilt overwhelmed me. I remember sobbing, apologizing to my sister Robin, begging for forgiveness. She looked me in the eyes and said, “Jere, oh no, honey—it wasn’t your fault.”

But I didn’t believe her. Not then.

Devotional Reflection

Words are powerful. The Bible says:

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue” - Proverbs 18:21 (NKJV).

Words can build up or tear down. Heal or destroy. And sometimes, they can leave wounds that outlive the moment they were spoken.

But there’s another truth we must cling to: God’s Word is greater than our worst words.

Maybe you’ve said something you regret. Or maybe someone else’s words have haunted you for years—words that declared you unworthy, unlovable, or broken. Whether it’s the words we’ve spoken or the ones spoken over us, they can become a prison if we let them.

But Jesus came to speak a better word.

Just like Peter’s denial didn’t disqualify him from his calling, your worst moment doesn’t define you either. Jesus didn’t shame Peter; He restored him. He didn’t say, “You blew it.” He said, “Feed my sheep.” He gave Peter purpose again. He reminded him that failure isn’t final when grace is involved.

That’s what I had to learn with Cheryl’s death. Her grace while she was alive—and the grace of God after she was gone—set me free from the lie that I was responsible. It took time, but eventually, I began to believe that I was more than my worst words. And so are you.

Action Step

Think of one hurtful word or phrase that still lingers in your mind—something you said or something said to you. Write it down, then cross it out and replace it with a truth from God’s Word. Speak that truth over yourself every day this week.

Reflection Questions

1. Is there a moment in your life where someone’s words left a lasting wound?
2. Have you forgiven yourself for words you’ve spoken in anger or pain?
3. What would change if you believed God’s Word about you more than your own?