Yesterday, I suggested that a person dear to me not worry about what others think because only what God thinks of her matters. Hours later, I was wondering if I could accept my own advice. You see, that same person thought the worst about me and called me words I WILL NOT WRITE.
The entire experience pierced my heart like a flame. I felt myself pull away from the situation and from the person. My soul crawled into a shell and cried, “Forget it. Why try?”
Have you ever been there?
When those closest to us believe the worst about us, we question our worth and our motives. “What did I do wrong? Why do I even try?”
In the moment, I didn’t say anything much. I showed little emotion. I have learned to maintain my poker face. But later, at home, I cried on my cold bathroom floor.
Within minutes, I felt God asking me, “What would you tell someone in your current situation? What would you say to a woman who felt her good deeds were misinterpreted as evil?”
I knew the answer. You are not who people say you are.
The people we care about can believe and say that we’re a “know-it-all” when the only thing we know in our hearts is that we are trying to be what God wants us to be. We will miss the mark and our imperfections are glaringly obvious. But should that prevent us from sharing the Truth? What happens when your highest and best intentions backfire?
I wish I had the answers because loving people who insist you make matters worse is tiring. For me, the uncertainty creates the quintessential “walking on eggshells” scenario and reveals how much I have to learn about walking in the Spirit, living in harmony, and doing what is honorable.
When I am hurt, I unapologetically admit that I cry to God, “Help. Please help me to be silent and humble. Forgive and bless those who hurt me. Forgive me. Create in me a clean heart and a right spirit. Help me to guard my heart while I try to do Your will. And lead me by Your Spirit, more and more.” I even ask God to help me not care. Because it hurts to show compassion and get treated like you don’t.
Days like yesterday are tough, even for Bible-believing, Christ-following daughters of the King. Journaling helps, and praying definitely shifts the atmosphere. Both forms of expression enable us to get it out (cast our cares). Additionally, prayer puts our focus on God to restore our sensitive souls and provides hope, knowing that the prayers of the righteous avail much.
Ha. The word “righteous” seems pretentious in context. But I AM WHO GOD SAYS I AM, and you are who God says you are!
And, praise God! If we are His, then we best believe He will never describe you or me with words that crush our spirits. We must know that what He says about us matters most! His Words matter more than what others say and more than what we say and believe about ourselves.
The truth is that when people who should know us the best understand us the least, we experience emotional pain. They may even call us out of our names. Let’s face it: we will never do or be enough for others because who they truly need more of is God. And so do we.
Let’s remember that hurt people hurt people and what they say or think about us does not matter most. Only what God thinks of us does. Therefore, your job and my job is to keep working on believing what the Bible says about us. Read who God says you are in Christ Jesus
Be encouraged, and may God bless your soul. You have a week of favor ahead.
Really,
Leah
“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”
2 Corinthians 5:20-21 (CSB)
Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Romans 12:14
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