Thoughts on How to Respond to People

"And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He did not answer. Then Pilate said to Him, 'Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?' And He did not answer him with regard to even a single charge, so the governor was quite amazed." --Matthew 27:12-14

In our culture, we are taught to not let anyone put us down; we're taught to stand up for ourselves. Jesus didn't. He was "meek and lowly of heart," and we are to learn from Him (Matthew 11:29). Can I still my tongue when people don't tell me what I want to hear? If they accuse me falsely, or if they gossip about me, can I keep from retaliating? If I do answer them, I may only make myself worse or more guilty in their eyes. 

King David's response was, "You have seen it, O Lord, do not keep silent. O Lord, do not be far from me. Stir up Yourself, and awake to my right and to my cause, my God and my Lord. Judge me, O Lord my God, according to Your righteousness, and do not let them rejoice over me." --Psalm 35:22-24

He trusted God. He allowed God to bring the truth to light, and asked God to be his judge. I want that to be my response in life, because things are bound to come up. What matters most is not what is said of me, but of my response to it.

Dear Life,

It's okay with me if you settle down now. I have enough trials to learn from at the moment.

Sincerely,
~Me.

I know I haven't been posting, but things have just been overwhelming lately. Just trying to trust and seek God through it all. "You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out to face them, for the Lord is with you.” --2 Chronicles 20:17

  And that's all, folks.

He Knows my Name

These past two weeks have been kind of crazy. I've been feeling like a certain person whom I love dearly has a low view of my capabilities and that she has been critical of what I say and do; nothing is good enough for her.

Tonight it occurred to me that maybe I just have an inflated view of myself, and her corrections have bothered me because I don't think I'm that bad. Oh, the flesh is so vain and self-deceiving!

I discovered a song tonight that I really like; it's not the sort I'm usually into. It's called "He Knows My Name", by Francesca Battistelli. Here is the chorus of the song:

"True to who You are,
You saw my heart
and made
something out of nothing.

I don't need my name in lights;
I'm famous in my Father's eyes.
Make no mistake,
He knows my name.
I'm not living for applause;
I'm already so adored.
It's all His stage,
He knows my name."

In the first stanza, I love how it points to God's character. He is the one who takes nothing (me) and makes something that can bring Him glory. I can't change or better myself; only He can.

The second stanza makes me realize that I don't need to be thought highly of, because in reality, I CAN'T do anything by myself. My capabilities really aren't that great; my friend is actually overestimating them. I should not be injured by her expectations of me. I should not strive to be praised by her, or anyone else. He knows my name, and that should be enough honor for me.