Forty Days Without FearSample

OVERCOMING FEAR OF RIDICULE

Words are powerful and creative! Like the tide coming in, they can lift us up, or like the tide going out, they can drag us down. Like a crane on a construction site, they can build us up, or like a bulldozer on a demolition site, they can break us down and destroy us. 

No matter how old we are, or what situation we are in, the words people speak over us affect us at some level or other. Right now, we might be aware of some negative labels that have stuck with us; names that have begun to define and shape our thinking about who we are, causing us to doubt what God has said about us through His Word. 

The fear of ridicule is fear of the destructive things people might say. From a few comments in the coffee area during our work-break to severe verbal bullying at school, we can’t control the words people say. But what we can control is the power we give those words over our lives. 

We can choose whether to allow those words to define us or not. The way to disarm a bully is not allow their words to have power over us. We can choose, like the Psalmist today, to listen to God’s voice, not the voice of the crowd, or social media.

Our heavenly, Creator Father, says that we are fearfully and wonderfully made; that there is a plan and purpose for our lives; and greater is He in us, than others in the world. Let’s allow these positive words to resonate deep in our hearts and find agreement with them, then we can stand firm.

Another helpful thing we can do is not get drawn into negative comments and gossip about others, but always saying something positive about them – words like that change culture! 

Action: Ask God to give you someone to encourage or build up today….and then another!