When Words Wound: Laying Insults at the Cross

During my devotion time, I was struck by the words in Romans 15:3:

“The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”

What a powerful reminder: Christ has already carried the weight of the wounds others have inflicted. When we are insulted, misunderstood, or spoken against, it’s not ours to carry alone. Those burdens were laid on Jesus at the cross. He bore not only our sins, but our sorrows, and even the unjust words hurled our way.

Photo by Ben White

Just a few verses earlier, Romans 15:1 says,

“We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak.”

Sometimes those failings show up in careless words, criticism, or emotional distance. We’re not called to absorb those wounds, but to walk in the strength God provides - acknowledging our pain, yet entrusting it to Him.

Then verse 4 gives us this encouragement:

“Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”

Here’s the truth we can rest in:

    •    Lay the insult at the cross. Jesus has already carried it. It doesn’t belong to you anymore.

    •    You are strong - not in your own power, but in the Lord’s. Ask Him to give you strength to respond with grace, not to shoulder another’s weakness, but to stay grounded in truth.

    •    Place your hope in Jesus. Not in people. Not in their approval or understanding. But in the One who never changes, who knows your heart, and who soothes your soul with His presence.

When the words of others cut deep, let the Word of God speak louder.