Truth for Today

Discouraging Thought: I care what others think of me.

Encouraging Truth: "The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe."
         - Proverbs 29:25

Loving Instruction: "We must obey God rather than man." - Acts 5:29b

Our Reward: "Whoever will listen to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread
          of disaster." - Proverbs 1:33

Being a parent is hard. Raising children to honor God is even harder. Putting up with people's opinions and judgements is even harder still. I know there are people who think it's ridiculous that Megan is 2 1/2 and isn't potty trained. I also know people who think a child shouldn't be pushed at all to potty train. I know people who think I discipline my children too much. I also know people who think I need to discipline my children more. This list could go on and on. As a human, and especially a woman, it is incredibly hard to not let what others think and/or say dictate what I do or how I behave. We are not put on this earth to please others, but to please God. And we especially need to be careful that "we dare not make the opinion of others the measure of our faithfulness." - John Piper

So this is the conclusion I've come to: Realize that most people are giving advice with good intentions. Consider the criticism/advice and search for truth. If you still believe what you are doing is Biblical, what glorifies Christ, and what is best for the culture of your family, forget about it and don't let it get to you. "Stop regarding man in whose nostrils is breath, for of what account is he?" - Isaiah 2:22 (Obviously, if there is truth to what was said, get it right with God and act accordingly.) Carry on with your life, remembering that we are not to please others, but Christ. And don't explain yourself! I think it's very important (especially for me as a prideful person) that I don't immediately defend what I do and why I do it. For me, that is just a tool used to please man. "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." - Galatians 1:10 At the end of the day, remember that if everyone thought you were doing right in all areas of your life, you'd probably be doing something wrong.  "Woe to you when all men speak well of you." - Luke 6:26 Lastly, don't do the same thing to someone else - you now know what it feels like!