Stay The Path

“Someone else’s opinion of you is none of your business”- Rachel Hollis

If you have been doing the last 90 days challenge or listening to her podcast then you know what I am talking about: people’s opinions of you and how you let them affect you. I am at my core a people pleaser, it is really hard for me when I come across someone who has a hard opinion of me. I would be lying if I said it doesn’t strike a chord to my heart, sometimes it cuts deeper than I would like to admit. Why do we let people’s opinions control how we feel about ourselves? Why do we let people’s opinions control our emotions at times? Why is it so hard to just stay on our path and focus on our journey and not seek the validation or acceptance of others? If you are succeeding or doing things right, the enemy is always going to be there to try and take you down.

“Do not put peoples opinions above God’s calling”- David Groeshel 

One of the hardest things that I had to come to grips with is if I am letting their opinions control my reactions and my emotions, that’s on me not them. We are in control of ourselves. We are in control of how we choose to respond to situations, no one else. Recently in the podcast I was listening to Craig Groeshel said something that is so true, “When emotions are high, wisdom is low. Responding is spiritually lead and reacting is emotional.” I know I have done this several times. I have responded emotionally and it did not have the outcome I was hoping for. When you respond emotionally you try to hurt and when you respond spiritually you strive for peace. If it feels good to say in the moment you probably shouldn’t say it. We are supposed to love, support and nurture each other not cut one another down. God came into contact constantly with people who tried to crush His joy and prevent Him from spreading His love to the world. Even as He was dying people were trying to tear Him down. We are not going to fit like peanut butter and jelly with everyone. Truth is if someone says hurtful things at times, it has nothing to do with you it has to do with the hurt in their own lives. That doesn’t mean that you are not ever wrong, because there are times when people who love you like your parents, your husband, your best friends the ones who truly know your heart say something in a loving way, a way to nurture you that makes you pause and think about it. They say it in a way to encourage you to be a better person not to cut you down. We are human so we are not going to be perfect examples of how God’s love is supposed to be all the time, we need to rely on His wisdom more to grant us what we are needing. Sometimes we feel like we have it under control or we feel like we know what’s best. When we begin to try and take control we are telling God we do not trust Him. Trust me I am guilty of this because I am somewhat of a control freak, and the fear of realizing that I have no control is hard to handle. How do we get to the place where we do not let criticism or people’s opinions go to our heart? We have to understand that we are made for God’s purpose not their’s. They are not made to understand your journey because everyone’s journey is different. That is what makes this world beautiful because each one of us is special and uniquely made by Him. We have to focus on our path, our journey and follow what God is calling you to do instead of what Satan is trying to steal from you.

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the

tongue of the wise brings healing

Proverbs 12:18

This verse is a good reminder if you are in the position that I have found myself in when people’s words and opinions affect me when they are spoken out of meanness, hate and spite. You need to remember that someone full of God’s love would not say those things. You need to guard your heart with God’s love and His wisdom so that you can respond in a way that keeps you lead by His spirit. This does not mean that every time these situations occur that it will be easy to deal with and that it will never get to you anymore, because they will. But you have to remember to come back to the one who can remind you where your true value lies. Make sure that the opinions you take in to your heart are from the ones who have the best interest of your heart in mind. As Craig Groeshel said, “In your relationships what you have allowed is what is created.” Be the one who decides to be lead spiritually and not emotionally. Be careful in what you take to heart because some things will eat your soul if you allow it. Do not allow these opinions to control your path in life because the only opinion that truly matters is God’s. I’ll leave you with lyrics from one of my favorite songs;

                           “When I was your foe, still Your love fought for me

You have been so, so good to me

When I felt no worth you paid it all for me

You have been so, so kind to me -Reckless Love Cody Ashbury