Are you being criticized?

When I was young, I put myself in a quandary. The man I was dating was not a believer, and I knew that sooner or later this would lead me to a dead end.

On the one hand, the loud and very strict voices of other Christians hammered at me: “This can't go well. Do you see how negatively you are changing?" And on the other hand, there was me: a young woman in love.

In the midst of the pressure, in the midst of this big decision, in the midst of my insecurities, and also in the midst of my search for great love, I didn’t realize what I know today: If I don't look for love in God, I will lose my heart in the wrong place.

What happened next was horrible. This man sent me a message saying he was going to take his own life.

I was so grateful that a friend of mine immediately went to him “to save him” from himself. And I was so grateful that a friend of mine set out immediately “to save me” in my situation. That friend was Jesus! (see Psalm 18:5-7 NIV)

Because, while people judge you, Jesus will always show you His love. And I know today: I, too, have to show love to the people who judge me.

Because only when we meet everyone with love do we break the cycle of judgment—and turn it into a blessing!

Maybe you've gone astray too. Maybe you’ve made decisions that are heavily criticized and condemned by those around you. May I remind you that in Jesus you have this best friend who not only wants to forgive you in His perfect love, but will help you to get back on the right track?

“Because of the Lord ’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.” (Lamentations 3:22 NIV)

This grace works MIRACLES! I can sing a song about that today—a lot of songs, haha! All glory be to Him!

You are a miracle!

Déborah