Embrace It – Toni Babcock
An important tool in defeating our hurt feelings in life is to actively embrace rejections like a warm fuzzy blanket. I know it sounds a bit nutty, but when you consider the crazy alternative, it makes a lot of sense. Why let the attitudes and judgmental words of others define your worth? Why let others make you mope around like a loser, when God declares you a grand winner in his awesome plan? So what if somebody slights you at church, or makes you feel invisible, or gives you a snarky reply on Facebook? Who cares if you’re passed up at work for a promotion because you’re a sappy Christian? Does it really matter what people think about your sappiness, when God says his strength is made perfect in our weakness? Does it really matter when God put us here to glorify Him and not ourselves?
If you’re feeling rotten because of the way people are making you feel, it’s time to get out the Bible, hear what God says — and claim who you are. A couple of promises here, to get started:
“Brothers and sisters, consider your calling: “God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world – what is viewed as nothing – to bring to nothing what is viewed as something, so that no one may boast in his presence. It is from him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom from God for us — our righteousness, sanctification and redemption, in order that as it is written: Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:28-31 CSB)
Christ himself told his disciples “You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me. Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:11 CSB)
Get that believer? You live in the company of prophets my friend, so it’s time to lift up your head and feel the love.
Toni Babcock is the author of The Stone Writer. Contact
