I remember a time when I had been told, twice in one day, by two different people, that I was not valued or appreciated. Both of these people care for me and want what is best for me so they were not being ugly. They were just telling me how they saw things. I still think about that and think about how it broke me and how hurt I was. I wish I did not care what others think but I do. I think we all do to a degree. I don't want people to think I am mean, snobby, too good, not a hard worker, etc. When we hear someone does not like us, what we do or what we stand for, it hurts. But we will never be liked by 100% of people! What can we do?
We are called to love and to do what is right. Jeremiah 22: 3, "This is what the LORD says: 'Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place." And how are we to love someone who is not nice to us? Because Jesus loves us. 1 John 4: 19, "We love because he first loved us." I think of young people and all they deal with and on top of that dealing with social media and all of the issues that brings. There are so many pressures, anxieties and stresses every day. We have to remember - and believe - we get our worth from God! It is easy to get beaten down.
We need to go to the Scriptures and hear who God says we are! John 8: 36, "So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." Romans 8: 31, ""What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” God has called us by name and gave us our identity before we were formed in the womb! We are part of His plan! He chose us! John 15: 16, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He may give it to you." We are precious to Him! Sometimes I am overwhelmed that Jesus Christ can use me! How cool is that? And He wants to! 2 Corinthians 5: 20, "I am an ambassador for Christ." 1 Peter 2: 9, "I am part of a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people."
We sing, "Who You Say I Am" by Hillsong Worship at church. The theme of the song is John 8. The lyrics are, "Who the Son sets free Oh is free indeed. I'm a child of God Yes, I am. In my Father's house There's a place for me, I'm a child of God Yes, I am. I am chosen, not forsaken. I am who You say I am. You are for me, not against me, I am who You say I am." I love this song and I have found that several times a day, I say, out loud, "I am who YOU say I am." That really puts everything else in perspective and that is very freeing! Repeat every day, "I am who YOU say I am!"
Who do you say you are?
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