☕ Day 38 — The Power of Your Words
Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:16–17 (NIV)
“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”
🎵 Song of the Day: Even When – Jeremy Camp
📖 Buy the Hope Journal: A Live Fret – 40 Days of Hope on Amazon
🎧 Listen to the Full 40-Day Playlist: Apple Music Playlist
🌐 Learn More: www.strongerwomen.com
Ingredient #7 of the Eight Ingredients of Perfection: Your Words
💜 Dear Friends,
Words can wound — and words can heal.
During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I’m reminded how often survivors remember words long after the bruises fade. Abuse thrives in silence, but healing begins when we reclaim language that tells the truth.
Today a lyric from Even When stirred my heart:
“You still receive me.”
Today I received words that wounded me. They weren’t intended to, but I had to work to reframe their impact on me, and my self worth.
I had to remind myself…Even when life feels shattered, even when others reject us, God still receives us.
That’s hope. That’s the power of words — spoken, sung, and whispered back into our souls.
💬 Devotional Reflection
Our words shape our healing.
Abuse distorts reality until survivors doubt their own voice. But when you start speaking life again — through prayer, journaling, therapy, or gentle conversation — your world changes color.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue. — Proverbs 18:21
Even so, the tongue is a small member and boasts great things. — James 3:5
Let this be the month your words build what violence tried to break.
Speak softly. Speak truth. Speak hope.
🎶 Five Tips Sparked by Song — Reclaiming Your Voice
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Let Hope Speak First. When fear rises, breathe and say: “God still receives me.”
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Name What Hurt You — Then Name What Healed You. Write one truth for each wound.
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Guard Your Self-Talk. Replace shame with kindness: “I am worthy of peace.”
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Speak Boundaries Aloud. “No.” “That’s not okay.” “I deserve safety.”
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Turn Pain Into Purpose. Share your story, sing your song, mentor another survivor. Your voice can save lives.
🗞️ October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
12 Things in the News You Need to Know About Domestic Violence (October 2025)
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Ohio deaths up 37 %. Fatal DV cases surged statewide. (ABC6 Ohio)
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Georgia passes “Survivor Justice Act.” Lets incarcerated survivors seek resentencing. (CBS News)
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Federal funding lawsuit. AGs challenge DOJ rule restricting immigrant-survivor aid. (AG NY)
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Illinois enacts Karina’s Law. Police must remove firearms when protective orders issued. (Wikipedia)
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Brain injury research. Study links repeated DV to lifelong TBI impacts. (The Guardian)
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Why survivors can’t “just leave.” Experts outline real barriers — fear, finances, trauma. (ABC News)
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Image-based abuse rising. Digital coercion & non-consensual image sharing increase. (arXiv Study 1)
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Online disclosures research. Survivors seek help through social media networks. (arXiv Study 2)
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Texas self-defense training. Free community classes for DV Awareness Month. (LMT Online)
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Home invasion case. Suspect indicted after assaulting partner & blocking 911 call. (The Telegraph)
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High-profile Hollywood case. Denise Richards alleges severe abuse & concussions. (People)
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Louisiana meteorologist arrested. Charged with domestic abuse and child endangerment. (NY Post)
💬 Each headline reminds us: violence hides in every zip code. Our response must be louder than silence.
🛡️ Safety Planning with Children — What Every Survivor Needs to Know
When domestic violence is present, the most dangerous time is often when someone decides to leave.
If children are in the home, safety planning must include them — calmly, wisely, and with hope.
💜 1. Teach Safety, Not Secrets
Tell children violence is never their fault.
“If people are yelling or things feel scary, your job is to stay safe — not to stop it.”
Never tell them to keep secrets; say instead, “There are safe grown-ups you can tell.”
🕊️ 2. Create a Quiet Exit Plan
Identify two exits and a meeting spot.
Teach: “When you’re safe, call 911 and say, ‘Someone is hurting my mom. We need help.’”
☎️ 3. Pack a Hope Bag
Include IDs, medications, spare keys, comforting item, and hotline card.
Say, “This is just a safety bag — we hope we never need it.”
🧭 4. Inform Schools and Caregivers
Share safe-pickup lists and emergency contacts with counselors.
Ask schools not to release children to anyone not approved in writing.
“Only go with people on our safe list.”
💬 5. Reassure and Rebuild
Repeat these truths often: “You are not to blame. You did the right thing. You are safe now.”
Use bedtime prayers, rhythm, and routines to restore calm.
✝️ Faith & Hope Reflection
Abuse steals safety; hope restores it.
“The Lord is my refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” — Psalm 46:1
At Stronger Women®, we believe hope can be taught — and children can learn their lives and voices matter.
🙏 Prayer
God of grace, thank You for receiving me even when I feel unworthy.
Teach me to speak life and truth.
Protect every child who feels afraid today and fill their home with hope. Amen.
☕ Goals | Pathways | My Next Step
Today I choose to use my voice to bring safety and hope.
I will speak words that build bridges, break silence, and create change.
Because words — when rooted in love — can save lives.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month Reminder:
If you or someone you know is in danger, help is available 24/7.
📞 National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.
💜 You are seen. You are heard. You belong here. There is hope.
Dr Brooke Jones
Founder Stronger Women