Have you ever had an argument with a friend or loved one and you looked like the bad guy? You knew you had to walk away from the relationship and everyone thought something was wrong with you for doing so? Have you ever had your character called into question because of a disagreement or misunderstanding? When we experience conflict with another human being, those around us tend to take sides. We say we don't and that we are neutral, but, if we are being honest, we have side conversations that convict one side of the argument.
"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8
I am a huge proponent of justice. I have a difficult time when someone does not get the justice they deserve. I struggle when an innocent person is victimized and doesn't experience some sort of justice for what they have been through. I can recall two times in my life where my character was slung through the mud. I was accused of things that simply were not true thus creating a false opinion about me in those in my life. I wanted to scream from a mountaintop, "This is not who I am? You are completely mistaken. I did not react that way and say those things because I am a selfish uncaring individual." And scream I did. I ran my mouth way too much thinking I was protecting my character, when, in actuality, I was only harming myself.
Character is not something that can be told. Character is lived through our daily actions. While Micah 6:8 talks about justice, it also discusses mercy and humility. In no way was I being humble when I was shouting my innocence through my megaphone. Instead, pride got a hold of me and tore me apart. As I touted my innocence, I reeked havoc on the other parties involved. In order to save myself from public scrutiny, I denounced the other person in a negative fashion. That does not bode well for ones character.
I have learned that if I humble myself and let go of the pride of proving my innocence and live my life with mercy and grace, my character will shine brighter than any spot light and be louder than any megaphone. Running my mouth does not bring me justice, even if I am wronged. I am pretty sure we all have good intentions when we choose to defend ourselves. We don't want to hurt the other person. We just want some justice for ourselves. But, what typically ends up happening is that we end up hurting ourselves and tainting our character.
"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10
The only proving I need to do is to my Savior. He is my sounding board and measuring stick. People are going to have unkind opinions of me. Not everyone is going to like me and that's okay. Not every disagreement is going to be resolved. The only person I need to measure up to is God and He is full of grace. I now keep quiet when I have conflict. I have one friend who is my sounding board where I can come and be ugly and get it all out in a safe place. I no longer shout like a fool about my innocence. Instead, I journey through this excursion of faith trying my best to truly live out what I believe. If I am in line with Him, than my character will shine. I won't need any megaphone or mountaintop.
Love & Blessings,
Meg
"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8
I am a huge proponent of justice. I have a difficult time when someone does not get the justice they deserve. I struggle when an innocent person is victimized and doesn't experience some sort of justice for what they have been through. I can recall two times in my life where my character was slung through the mud. I was accused of things that simply were not true thus creating a false opinion about me in those in my life. I wanted to scream from a mountaintop, "This is not who I am? You are completely mistaken. I did not react that way and say those things because I am a selfish uncaring individual." And scream I did. I ran my mouth way too much thinking I was protecting my character, when, in actuality, I was only harming myself.
Character is not something that can be told. Character is lived through our daily actions. While Micah 6:8 talks about justice, it also discusses mercy and humility. In no way was I being humble when I was shouting my innocence through my megaphone. Instead, pride got a hold of me and tore me apart. As I touted my innocence, I reeked havoc on the other parties involved. In order to save myself from public scrutiny, I denounced the other person in a negative fashion. That does not bode well for ones character.
I have learned that if I humble myself and let go of the pride of proving my innocence and live my life with mercy and grace, my character will shine brighter than any spot light and be louder than any megaphone. Running my mouth does not bring me justice, even if I am wronged. I am pretty sure we all have good intentions when we choose to defend ourselves. We don't want to hurt the other person. We just want some justice for ourselves. But, what typically ends up happening is that we end up hurting ourselves and tainting our character.
"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10
The only proving I need to do is to my Savior. He is my sounding board and measuring stick. People are going to have unkind opinions of me. Not everyone is going to like me and that's okay. Not every disagreement is going to be resolved. The only person I need to measure up to is God and He is full of grace. I now keep quiet when I have conflict. I have one friend who is my sounding board where I can come and be ugly and get it all out in a safe place. I no longer shout like a fool about my innocence. Instead, I journey through this excursion of faith trying my best to truly live out what I believe. If I am in line with Him, than my character will shine. I won't need any megaphone or mountaintop.
Love & Blessings,
Meg
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