Inner Peace
No matter how hard you try, there will always be someone who doesn’t like you because it’s simply impossible to please everyone. People can despise you for the simplest things like smiling or being polite. And sometimes the more efforts made to be kind just makes them hate you more. You can’t control what others say and do. Unhappy people have a difficult time seeing anyone else happy. They can insult you, gossip about you, or ridicule you, but you can choose not to respond in the same way. The truth is, you will never have inner peace if you have an emotional reaction to everything that is said about you. Pray for Holy Spirit strength to shut out the negativity. True power is ‘restraint.’ If you allow words to control you, then you have effectively given people permission to influence your thoughts and behavior. The Dalai Lama once said, “Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace.” Pray for God to put His love in your heart for those who mistreat you. Don’t hold grudges or hard feelings toward your enemies. Instead, love them with God’s love. Christian author Nicky Gumbel once said, “People may hurt you, but God will heal you. People may humiliate you, but God will honor you. People may judge you, but God will justify you.” No matter what anyone else says or does, don’t allow people to steal your joy. No matter what you do, there will always be someone who is going to find fault in you. In the words of Aristotle: “There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.” Don’t live your life for people–pleasing God is all that is important. When you strive to live a righteous life without hatred, anger, or bitterness, you can claim God’s promise in Isaiah 32:17: “And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.” Text: Romans 12:18, Proverbs 12:20, Proverbs 16:7, James 3:18
© Brenda Walsh Ministries https://brendawalsh.com/
Amen