ACCEPTING YOU AND THEM
Hello friends! This blog is going to be a little different from my regular blogs. Nothing too too deep *when am I ever not deep though*. A couple days ago while taking a shower I went into deep thought about the people around me and how I think some of them perceive me. You see, when we meet people and associate with them they begin to form opinions about our character. Like say you meet someone in school and you guys become friends. Consciously and even subconsciously your minds have started forming opinions about each other.
Here’s my point. Whatever opinion ANYBODY you’ve EVER met has formed about you whether good or bad is NOT as important as what GOD has to say about you. People can come in very weird and hilarious forms. People that don’t know you could conclude that they don’t like you. Isn’t that something? People that have refused to understand you always find it easier to blame you for their lack of understanding. People are very loose with their mouths! I am guilty too. Can you count how many times you’ve bad mouthed someone you just met? You just assume that because of ONE thing he/shesaid, that’s who they are.
Now here’s what amazes me the most. How we allow people like that to affect how we see ourselves! I always say this, “know what you are capable of so when people say A or B about you, you know whether to take offence or whether you need to shut up, be quiet and ask God how to fix it”. So many of us get so worked up about what Johnny and Mindy have to say about us. Say no to people bondage! Johnny and Mindy don’t know your heart, Jesus does. Johnny and Mindy won’t judge you, Jesus will. So now whose opinion matters the most?
I used to be a big people pleaser. I mean, I always wanted people to be happy with me, or have good things to say about me. But in 2016 I learnt something VERY important. You cannot control how people see you or even how they speak about you. You can try, but you will end up feeling exhausted mentally and even depressed. Let people think what they want. But ask yourself, is that me? Is that really how I am? Is that really how I wanted it to play out? Did I really set out with those intentions? Whatever those answers are, only God can give you peace. If you find out some bad things about yourself pray and ask God to help fix your heart because that’s usually where all the issues stem from. “As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person.” Proverbs 27 vs 19 NLT. That verse is so good. Your heart reflects who you really are. Now,some people have perfected the art of reflecting something different from what their heart is. Let’s take a moment and say a word of prayer for those people. AMEN. I could write a whole book, preach an entire sermon on fake people but that’s not relevant right now. Fake people would get what’s coming to them, one way or the other.
Sometimes we need to forget what other people think and focus on what WE think. Let people think what they want to think. Anita thinks you’re annoying? Bet…say less Anita! Ask yourself are you annoying? There’s a 50% chance Anita was right. Apologize to Anita FROM YOUR HEART and if Anita still thinks you are so annoying that she can’t move past it. THAT IS FINE!!! My eyes are actually WIDE open right now. I repeat, THAT IS FINE!!! Can we please let people have their opinions? Can we? Can we please let people do what’s best for them? Because Anita can’t stand you doesn’t mean you’re a bad person. It doesn’t even mean Anita is a bad person. It just means Anita might have some inward questioning to do. I just wish we could all stop bickering at each other, stop constantly talking trash, stop forming full opinions based on half-truths. If you don’t know that person you have no right to make any conclusions. I’m African, very African. I have to catch myself with the things I think and say sometimes, in fact plenty times lol. If God is pleased with who you are, then baby girl and baby boy, you better walk into that room and love on people!
Love conquers all guys. Yes, what they said might not be the best. How they reacted when your name came up, or when your shadow went by does not matter. Know who you are. Ask God to reveal your strengths and weaknesses. Master the art of peace. “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” Romans 12 vs 18 NIV. Allow me to add two things:
1. Learn to be at peace with yourself.
2. Living at peace could also mean separation. Sometimes it’s best to love people from a distance.
It’s okay that you talk a little loud, it’s okay that you are reserved and quiet. It’s okay, YOU ARE OKAY. You’re not an alien. That’s just who you are. Whether you’re funny or you’re a no-nonsense person the people that are meant to be in your life will still love you and most of all God who created you will never stop loving you. Human beings might take a break, they can love you today and hate you tomorrow but that’s OKAY. They are PEOPLE. They aren’t perfect, they will hurt you, they will annoy you but don’t let that take you out of CHARACTER. I pray that God gives us wisdom and understanding and shows us how best to handle confrontation and difficult situations with people in Jesus Precious name. AMEN.
