The person said something horrendous about me. They said I take things personally and don’t always see things for what they are.
I have to tell you, I took it personally.
They were the ones with a finger pointed at me.
They were the ones with three fingers pointing back at them.
They were just as guilty of everything they accuse me of.
They were attacking me with mean words and I didn’t want to listen.
They pushed me to my boiling point. I was enraged with my stomach was in knots and my chest red hot with anger. Clenching my firsts, I wondered, “Why am I always the problem?
I didn’t want to listen anymore. I wanted to walk away. I wanted to be done with them and the hurt they caused.
They aren’t for me. They are against me.
Sometimes it’s easier to mark people as one way or the other: For or against, good or bad, rude or kind, attacking or compassionate. It’s easy to mark someone, turn the other way and be done. Be done with what feels intrusive. Especially when it attacks your heart in a personal way.
But what if their words have merit? I considered this: Perhaps the words I am trying to kill could heal if I let them.
What words have you taken personally? What might happen if you permitted what you pushed away to inch its way into your heart? How would God use it?
“Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.” (Prov. 19:20)
What if the words being sent to us are heaven sent? What if God doesn’t allow them for our demise, but he uses them so we can rise?
Powerful is the woman who sets her mind on God, changes, and grows in his name. She listens to others. She considers words aside from her feelings, quick responses and rebuttals and sees the other’s view.
Friends, I admit I do take things personally. I get hurt easily. I am sensitive. I like to be seen in good light. I have a hard time seeing my flaws. But in Christ, I am not reprimanded and sent to bed with no dinner. I am not chained to my sin. I am not berated and yelled at to do right.
I am helped. I am comforted. I am encouraged.
I may not be perfect but as I actively pursue Christ, I am helped. I am moving from glory to glory, grace to grace and peace to peace. I am shedding off Kelly Balarie and finding the real Jesus.
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” (Gal. 2:20)
The pain of listening, admitting and owning is worth it…for when we die, we find Jesus alive in us.
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This is so helpful Kelly, not for our demise but to rise, that’s me. God knew those words would hurt but make me more determined to do the right thing. Thanks.