Shift Your PerspectiveSample

Have you ever had someone dislike you because of something they believed about you that just wasn't true? I have and I'm sure you have too. When I married the love of my life, who happened to be 15 years older than me and successful, you can imagine what people were saying about my motives. These people didn't know my heart. It hurts.

People make assumptions and judgments based on what they think, what they heard, what they believe about your actions, your thoughts, your motives, and your beliefs.

If you are going through something similar today, I want to share with you three pieces of information the Lord gave me. I'm going to warn you...they are challenging!

Number One: Don't defend yourself. You will likely want to set the story straight or defend your actions. Don't. The Bible tells us to be still and let God fight our battles for us. Generally, when we want to defend ourselves, it comes from a position of pride. God desires for us to humble ourselves and trust Him. Honestly, it is going to be hard, but dying to self isn't supposed to be easy.

Number Two: The opinions of others are irrelevant. Proverbs 29 tells us it is dangerous to worry about what other people think of us. If you are serving the Lord, praying to Him, spending time with Him, and trying to be obedient to His Word, then His opinion of you is the only one that matters. Do you know what His opinion of you is? Let me just tell you the few things He says about you: You are fearfully and wonderfully made, you are crowned with glory and honor, you are righteous through His Son Jesus Christ, you are a saint, servant, steward, and soldier, you have a purpose and a future, you are loved, valued, and you are chosen. This is the only thing that matters.

Number Three: Don't be one of those people. Don't be someone who makes assumptions about others based on something you've heard. Don't judge someone based on the way they dress or something they've done in their past. Love them. Not only is that God's greatest command, but it is also how His disciples will be known.

Now go let your light shine.