As a writer I decided long ago to open up my heart and pour it out so that others could see. In that decision I also allowed an open door for people to disagree with me, misunderstand me, and sometimes downright ridicule me. And today as I came upon a few unkind comments directed at my person I found myself deflated.
Never mind that in the same morning I had also read nice comments, or even that a friend in person had complimented my writing. In my head the ones that opposed me floated to the surface, and I suppose that was just my human nature.
Even in my personal life when those I loved said things that hurt me, their comments were the ones that stuck with me the most. I ruminated on the negative allowing it to penetrate my soul, and in this reaction I had the frequent tendency to allow the poorly thought-out words of others to bring me down.
But this morning as I reflected on the specific unkind comments I had seen I felt the Lord’s voice speak to my heart.
What is this in the face of glory?
What is this? That was a good question. While it was hastily thrown words, and words do hurt, when compared to the glory of God what value did they really have?
I realize as a Christian people will oppose me. They may even hate me. As a human being I will be disagreed with, misunderstood, and mistreated. Although I will strive to do my best to represent the Lord in all I do and say, sometimes I’ll fall flat. Other times people will just be the way they are regardless of my intentions. And while this all is very disappointing, the important part is that it doesn’t change a thing between me and Jesus.
So the answer is that it means nothing. Not when held beside glory.
And then I realized that much of life that disturbs me can be measured with the same yardstick.
When things in life don’t go my way…
What is this in the face of glory?
When things don’t go right, my day is all jacked up, or I can’t seem to get it all together. What is it compared to glory? Everything around me can fall apart, but if I have Jesus then I have peace. I have stability. I have the promise of eternity. And what is running late in a traffic jam when held up beside the fact of eternal life?
When I am afraid…
What is it in the face of glory?
Pointless, meaningless, useless, powerless. Fear of death, the fear of losing my job, my children, my spouse, or my life. Fear is made void in the face of Jesus. His perfect power cancels out fear. Will it still appear and rear its ugly head? Yes, quite often. But when held beside glory, it is nothing.
When I am uncertain…
What is it in the face of glory?
It is written in the Book of Life. There is no unknown to the Lord, and peace comes with the recognition of His sovereignty.
When trouble comes my way…
What is it in the face of glory?
Recognition of God’s goodness opens my eyes to the many blessings He has bestowed upon me, and even in my times of hardship I realize I am good. I am great, in fact, for even in the midst of trouble I have the promise of salvation. And no one can take that from me.
John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
In this life people will oppose me. The world will hurt me. My circumstances will disappoint me. And my heart will cry out in anguish.
But what is this in the face of glory?
Amen!
Just what I needed to read today as I’m stressed out about…well, most everything, LOL! In the face of His glory, knowing that I am forgiven and have my faith and salvation…well, nothing else really matters.
Thank you as always for your wonderful words!
Thank you!