I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well. Psalm 139:14 ESV
I can say with confidence that I have landed in a place where I can step back and see the Handwork of GOD over and over again throughout the course of my life. The timeline of landmarks that have dotted the years prove He has carried me through the hardest and darkest of times. These life lessons have taught me well, and I have learned so much about the Savior and Lover of my soul.
what is man that you are mindful of him,
and the son of man that you care for him? Psalm 8:4 ESV
Now, when I encounter people who unknowingly (and perhaps, unintentionally) belittle, dismiss, devalue me to my face, I can see where that is truly coming from. The enemy would love to see me lose my mind and come unglued ~ but in these wiser days, the Holy Spirit’s Whispers are louder and more powerful.
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26 ESV
I am not compelled to scream and defend myself as I would have done years ago. The anger is no longer vented at the vessel being used to taunt me. Rather, I recognize the battle ~ and it belongs to the Lord. My role is to keep my Armor on and intact, ready to call upon Him as my defense. His Word has already declared the Victor. And I refuse to be a casualty, much less a victim.
The decision to remain whole comes from a place of choosing to be holy. Holiness can only be lived out through obedience. Obedience is all the Lord asks of me. He will produce the outcome and has already scripted the process.
With all of that said, there are those who would disagree with some of my choices. Some shake their heads and say I am not contemporary enough. And some have said that I’m not keeping step with the current flow. I’ve been criticized for having too much empathy, because it doesn’t yield the results that speak to today’s culture.
I have one thing to say to that: That’s not my problem.
And if you feel as though you want to reach through your screen and high-five me, I’d say to you: It’s not your problem, either.
GOD made us different so that we could showcase Him through our differences. There’s a reason He places specific people in our lives ~ because He knows that He can reach them through us. Our unique personalities and characteristics will draw and leave an imprint of Jesus that no one else can imitate.
Allow me to encourage you (as I preach to myself here) to be unapologetically you, Sweet Friend.
The next time you come face-to-face with an opposing individual, pause, pray, and let GOD speak into your space. It’s not the individual in front of you that is the issue ~ your opponent is the one trying to convince you to go rogue through your thoughts. That’s when reciting Scripture will dispel the enemy ~ Truth does that. The Word will renew your mind and transform your otherwise angry responses into calm and you will be at peace.
I refuse to do any mental gymnastics for those who want to see me react to their nonsense. I will, however, humble myself before a Holy GOD that has the power to resurrect lifeless bodies and heal brokenness.
And you, dear Friend, have every opportunity to stand shoulder-to-shoulder alongside all your sisters here who are tired of being beaten up because of the erroneous thinking of people-pleasing. It’s time to rise up and be the Daughter of the King of Kings. No apology needed.
Stand tall and straighten your crown ~ there’s work to be done.
I love you to Heaven and Back, Girlfriend ~
LindaRJohnson, TitusTwo Visionary
Titus Two 