Have you read the book of Ezekiel? It's an...interesting one to say the least. God asked Ezekiel to do some strange things (like lying on his side for 390 days); but what I found fascinating is that before all this started, He told Ezekiel multiple times not to be afraid of the people or what they would say. (Ezekiel 2) The fact that He said it multiple times must mean that it was a message that He really wanted Ezekiel to remember. He knew that what He was calling Ezekiel to do was not going to be easy and people pleasing was not going to be an option for him.
"The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that." (Proverbs 29:25 MSG)
While reading Ezekiel 2 I almost felt as if that message was meant for me--as if God was saying to me, "Maria, don't be afraid of them or of their words." How often am I one to be afraid of people--what they think, what they say, what I think they are thinking or saying about me. It's enough fear that it stops me from doing, saying or writing something that I feel led to at times. (Courage--it's a work in progress for me.) Yet, I know that part of what God wants me to do is write, speak and share. Who knows if it's just for a few special readers like you or maybe a few more down the road someday; but how can I expect Him to use me if I'm too afraid of what will be said?
The world is full of those who are so quick and happy to virtually rip others apart through the convenient veil of the internet. Facebook and its many comments from all different points of view are enough to make me hesitant to share opinions of my own lest someone comment back with mean words. After all words mean so much to me. (Words do hurt!) In a world where it feels like everything has already been said and no one values anyone else's perspective but their own, what difference does one comment make? Oh the power of the tongue... it is a great power indeed if it yields enough fear to hinder some from their calling. I imagine this is exactly why God encouraged Ezekiel so many times not to be afraid of the people or their words.
How about you? What should you say or not say? What should you watch or not watch? What should you do or not do? How much of it all is influenced by how afraid you are of what those around you will think or say?
How much of your calling are you letting go because of their possible words?
Godly courage... It's a work in progress for me. I continually lean on the Holy Spirit for answers and guidance. He's teaching me little by little. Thank God He said not to worry about tomorrow (Matthew 6) because I'm doing all I can today!
"The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that." (Proverbs 29:25 MSG)
While reading Ezekiel 2 I almost felt as if that message was meant for me--as if God was saying to me, "Maria, don't be afraid of them or of their words." How often am I one to be afraid of people--what they think, what they say, what I think they are thinking or saying about me. It's enough fear that it stops me from doing, saying or writing something that I feel led to at times. (Courage--it's a work in progress for me.) Yet, I know that part of what God wants me to do is write, speak and share. Who knows if it's just for a few special readers like you or maybe a few more down the road someday; but how can I expect Him to use me if I'm too afraid of what will be said?
The world is full of those who are so quick and happy to virtually rip others apart through the convenient veil of the internet. Facebook and its many comments from all different points of view are enough to make me hesitant to share opinions of my own lest someone comment back with mean words. After all words mean so much to me. (Words do hurt!) In a world where it feels like everything has already been said and no one values anyone else's perspective but their own, what difference does one comment make? Oh the power of the tongue... it is a great power indeed if it yields enough fear to hinder some from their calling. I imagine this is exactly why God encouraged Ezekiel so many times not to be afraid of the people or their words.
How about you? What should you say or not say? What should you watch or not watch? What should you do or not do? How much of it all is influenced by how afraid you are of what those around you will think or say?
How much of your calling are you letting go because of their possible words?
Godly courage... It's a work in progress for me. I continually lean on the Holy Spirit for answers and guidance. He's teaching me little by little. Thank God He said not to worry about tomorrow (Matthew 6) because I'm doing all I can today!
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