Some of the funniest things in life can be found on labels. We’ve all seen packets of nuts with the label “Warning, may contain nuts”, but have you ever seen any of these real life labels:

"Caution: Hot beverages are hot!"(On a coffee cup).

"Do not use for drying pets." (In the manual for a microwave oven).

"Do not turn upside down." (On the bottom of a supermarket dessert box)

"Do not use orally." (On a toilet bowl cleaning brush).

"Not suitable for children aged 36 months or less." (On a birthday card for a 1 year old).

"Do not use orally after using rectally." (In the instructions for an electric thermometer).

My son is a Coeliac, so I understand the need for good labeling, but labels can also be unhelpful. I believe that we all have labels, some of which we choose and some of which are given to us. Examples of labels are: clever, stupid, good looking, ugly, success, failure, grumpy, happy, afraid, confident, funny, sad.

Some labels make us feel good, but many cause great pain. Do you remember the Ronseal advert? ‘It does exactly what it says on the tin’. The labels or names we are called or that we accept for ourselves can determine who we become unless we think through the issues, seek the truth and find freedom.

We recently explored this whole area in our services and you can listen to the talks on our website. See the link on the menu on the left of this screen.