Self
We all have things we believe about ourselves, know about ourselves. There are aspects of our personalities and behaviours we are proud of, aspects we are ashamed of. And if someone attacks an aspect of you that you pride yourself on, the very injustice of it hurts.
But why? Why should it? If we are secure in our self belief, what does it matter what someone else thinks? If our conscience is clear before God, what does someone else’s opinion count? Why is it so important?
Its pride, I think. Okay, everyone knows that pride is to be guarded against, ‘pride goes before a fall’ and so forth. But we don’t tend to count the pride in these areas, of a job well done, of a home looked after or children who are well behaved and successful.
If your boss tells you you’re unprofessional, if a neighbour says you’re a bad parent, if your greatest talent is downplayed and ridiculed, it’s hard, because it hits your pride on a very fundamental level. You want to protest your innocence, stand up for your rights, defend and justify yourself, fight back against the oppressor and the slanderer.
I wonder if these situations can present us with a new opportunity to practice the love of God, on a new level to exchange our humiliation for humility, to remind ourselves yet again that God’s opinion is the only one that matters. ‘If someone slaps you on the right cheek,’ says Jesus, ‘let him slap you on the left’. And He, of course, is one most qualified to know about sheer injustice, and how it is possible not to react.
We have the right not to be slapped down, the right not to be accused unjustly, vilified and maligned by foolish people who know nothing about us and our lives. Could this be the last bastion of pride, to give up our notion of rights, not to be a doormat, but simply to turn away and say, ‘I choose not to react to your cruelty. Your opinion does not make or break me. I choose not to give you power to hurt me.’ Jesus did it for us, can’t we entrust to Him our self worth, instead of leaving it in the hands of unworthy people?
How is it to be accomplished? Not through our own efforts, that’s for sure. God grant us all the courage to place ourselves solely in His hands.
Views: 30
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Juline Bruck on -
Stunned silence. Maybe that's the ultimate ocmpliment. Thank you for being used by God for me. Hopefully, you will write again what God lays on your heart. I sure hope so.
-
-
Permalink Reply by Tami on -
Ronny, this post is amazing and hits home hard today, as I was just having similar thoughts. Home issues hare extremely hard right now and I keep coaching myself not to react to the garbage that is being slung all around. To just stand and somehow, someway, God will make it right. If I need to make myself turning circles to keep presenting a new cheek each time, then He will keep my from falling down from being dizzy!
-
-
Permalink Reply by Ronny on -
Thank you very much.
Juline Bruck said:
Stunned silence. Maybe that's the ultimate ocmpliment. Thank you for being used by God for me. Hopefully, you will write again what God lays on your heart. I sure hope so.
-
-
Permalink Reply by Ronny on
-
I too have had some attacks that have not been nice, which is what got me thinking about this in the first place. Its so hard when others are being unjust, and I long to be freed of the trap of opinion. Pray God reminds us both each and every day that the only opinion that really matters is His.
Tami said:
Ronny, this post is amazing and hits home hard today, as I was just having similar thoughts. Home issues hare extremely hard right now and I keep coaching myself not to react to the garbage that is being slung all around. To just stand and somehow, someway, God will make it right. If I need to make myself turning circles to keep presenting a new cheek each time, then He will keep my from falling down from being dizzy!
-
-
Permalink Reply by Haelie on -
Ronny,
This is such an honest and necessary post. Thank you for sharing so clearly and honestly. You spoke to more of us that you know. Keep writing and sharing as the Spirit leads.
Blessings to you!
Haelie
-
-
Permalink Reply by Ronny on
-
Thank you very much, its nice when sharing your experiences can help others.
Haelie said:
Ronny,
This is such an honest and necessary post. Thank you for sharing so clearly and honestly. You spoke to more of us that you know. Keep writing and sharing as the Spirit leads.
Blessings to you!
Haelie
-
© 2012 Created by Dale Interactive Group.
Powered by
