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Your mother probably said it maybe your grandmother, too. They parroted the overused maternal maxim: "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."
They meant well, but let's just say that they were not being completely truthful. They wanted us to be strong in the face of criticism, verbal abuse, and the bullying behavior of others. It was like, "Hey, if there's no blood it's no big deal."
But we all know better.
When was the last time a stick or stone was hurled at you?
Now, when was the last time what someone said hurt you?
There is a certain feeling of unfairness when people who are trying to do good even trying to serve the Lord get hurt along the way.
We get depressed. We think about getting even. We think about quitting.
In fact, one of the most common reasons people stop trying to make a difference has to do with getting hurt and not getting through or over it.
Good Samaritans get mugged.
All the time.
David R Stokes
David R. Stokes is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, ghostwriter, broadcaster, and retired pastor. His latest book, JFK'S GHOST: Kennedy, Sorensen, and the Making of Profiles in Courage, was released by Lyons Press (Rowman & Littlefield) June 1, 2021. His earlier book, THE SHOOTING SALVATIONIST, appeared twice on the Wall Street Journal Bestseller list in 2011. This story has been recently revised and republished with 30,000 words of new material. David has also written screenplays based on two of his novels, CAMELOT'S COUSIN and JAKE & CLARA, and they are currently being represented for production in Hollywood. Retired FBI Agent and Bestselling author, Bob Hamer, says, "David Stokes combines his meticulous research with a writing style which makes you feel as though you are that fly-on-the-wall witnessing history as it unfolds."David grew up in the Detroit, Michigan area and has been an ordained minister for more than 45 years. Now retired from pastoral ministry, he writes full-time. David has been married to his wife, Karen, since 1976, and they have been blessed with three daughters--all now grown and with wonderful children of their own. There are, in fact, seven grandchildren, a fact verified by hundreds--maybe thousands--of pictures, as well as an ever-growing collection of toys and gadgets joyously cluttering their home.His next book, THE HOPE NOT PLOT: A Novel of Churchill's Final Farewell will be published in fall, 2025. Visit David's website: DavidRStokes.com.
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