Sometimes the challenge is the attacks by others. Seems like for no particular reason people choose not to be kind to us, choosing instead to give us a difficult time. Some will even put in extra effort attempting to goad us - trying to get us to act in ways that they think confirm that God is not with us or that we have small faith.
Other times, we are a challenge to ourselves, struggling to find the necessary amount of time to do those things that keep us focused, strengthened and obedient in our walk with Christ. Some of this is because of the energy we may mistakenly be putting into pleasing people. When we forget that no matter how we see others being elevated in the world, how many Facebook posts celebrate people's seeming path to 'fame and fortune," or how many likes we get for our posts, our true value to God has very little to do with the accolades of man. And that only through constant communion with God can we acquire both proper elevation and strength to move correctly within that elevation.
I am in no way saying that it is not pleasing to be recognized for our personal achievements. I am also not saying that we should not work hard to expand our reach and our territory. But if public response becomes the measure of success or failure to us, we set ourselves up to be people pleasers as opposed to God chasers. Trying to please people can take us through emotional roller coasters where we question our value, our purpose, our action and most importantly, our God-given power and authority.
But I just dropped in to bless you with what blessed me tonight; a reminder from the Holy Spirit: God chose us!
John 15:16 says; "You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you."
I have had many accolades, received many awards and promotions, been blessed to be the "first" in several arenas and worked in both positions of great authority and very little authority. But no position or award will ever compare to the joy of God letting me know that I am pleasing in his site and that He is doing something JUST FOR ME AND JUST BECAUSE. Also, nothing will ever compare to knowing that what you have planted through obedience and love of God, will remain.
It is a full-time job to chase worldly validation outside of God's purpose, leading and positioning. When we pursue success and make decisions based on our own "brilliance" we can mistakenly be drawn into the bright lights and away from the covering of God.
God has both validated us and selected us to do His will. In that space lies our ability to recognize the difference between Godly elevation and people pleasing, and to control the amount of emotional energy we waste on those bent on delaying us. Learning when to invest emotionally and when not to can truly bring us the peace that God has promised; along with great increase. God chose us and He's got us!
Rev. Dr. Nina Thompson Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nina.marie.315428
Rose of Sharon Ministries - Making Life Work Project and Yes to God Young Adult Ministry https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=yes%20to%20god
Author's Page: https://www.amazon.com/Rev.-Dr.-Nina-M.-Thompson/e/B07MVJ2THM%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share
