'But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
I was talking to a neighbor the other day about time. We were discussing getting older and how your perspective shifts as you grow up. One thing that we both had in common is how things don't bother us as much as they used to. It's not that we don't care. Those things that used to frustrate, anger, or paralyze me no longer have a hold on me.
People are going to talk. People are going to have their opinions. People are not going to understand, not going to know the full story, aren't going to care yet develop a negative perspective of me. Thus is life. It's not that these people are bad people. Typically, they mean no harm. Somehow, it seems, we are wired to jump to a conclusion about someone based on someone else's perspective or opinion or a story we've been told regardless if we have all the facts. The Bible even tells us that it is in our human nature to look at the outside, the general, and not into the depth of ones heart and soul.
This knowledge, this maturity, has led me on a road of releasing myself from the bondage that can be others' opinion of me. Now, don't get me wrong. I have people in my life whom I love and adore that if they felt negatively about me it would break me in half. I am not necessarily talking about them or those moments. Nor am I talking about the "iron sharpening iron' relationships in which you have to have those really hard conversations about something someone sees in me that needs changing. What I am releasing myself from is carrying the burden of an unattainable standard.
I cannot please everyone. Not everyone is going to like me. People are going to hold false opinions about me based on what someone else has said or something they assume. That is okay and I am okay with that. The reason I can be so bold to say that I do not allow these things, these people's opinions, to impact me is because I have an audience of one: God. The only standard I need to live up to is His. God is so tender, so full of love and grace and mercy that even when I mess up (which occurs daily) He has His arms wide open waiting for me to return to Him. As long as I am in line with Him, I know I am good.
When I have to do hard things, say hard things, make hard decisions and people cannot understand and don't take the time to know my heart, that's alright. God knows and I trust that He will reveal to me when I am on the wrong path. All I need to do is stay the course lining my life up to the Word of God.
So, the next time I wonder what is being said about me or the opinions people are forming about me based on false allegations, I will rest in knowing that they are not my measuring rod. He is.
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under peoples' feet. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5: 10-16
Love & Blessings,
Meg
I was talking to a neighbor the other day about time. We were discussing getting older and how your perspective shifts as you grow up. One thing that we both had in common is how things don't bother us as much as they used to. It's not that we don't care. Those things that used to frustrate, anger, or paralyze me no longer have a hold on me.
People are going to talk. People are going to have their opinions. People are not going to understand, not going to know the full story, aren't going to care yet develop a negative perspective of me. Thus is life. It's not that these people are bad people. Typically, they mean no harm. Somehow, it seems, we are wired to jump to a conclusion about someone based on someone else's perspective or opinion or a story we've been told regardless if we have all the facts. The Bible even tells us that it is in our human nature to look at the outside, the general, and not into the depth of ones heart and soul.
This knowledge, this maturity, has led me on a road of releasing myself from the bondage that can be others' opinion of me. Now, don't get me wrong. I have people in my life whom I love and adore that if they felt negatively about me it would break me in half. I am not necessarily talking about them or those moments. Nor am I talking about the "iron sharpening iron' relationships in which you have to have those really hard conversations about something someone sees in me that needs changing. What I am releasing myself from is carrying the burden of an unattainable standard.
I cannot please everyone. Not everyone is going to like me. People are going to hold false opinions about me based on what someone else has said or something they assume. That is okay and I am okay with that. The reason I can be so bold to say that I do not allow these things, these people's opinions, to impact me is because I have an audience of one: God. The only standard I need to live up to is His. God is so tender, so full of love and grace and mercy that even when I mess up (which occurs daily) He has His arms wide open waiting for me to return to Him. As long as I am in line with Him, I know I am good.
When I have to do hard things, say hard things, make hard decisions and people cannot understand and don't take the time to know my heart, that's alright. God knows and I trust that He will reveal to me when I am on the wrong path. All I need to do is stay the course lining my life up to the Word of God.
So, the next time I wonder what is being said about me or the opinions people are forming about me based on false allegations, I will rest in knowing that they are not my measuring rod. He is.
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under peoples' feet. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5: 10-16
Love & Blessings,
Meg
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