What to Do When People Put You Down
By Kelly Balarie
Bible Reading
“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” – Galatians 1:10 NIV
Every time I spoke, the woman would, in one way or another, slight me, saying things like:
“I told you this already…”
“You should know that…”
“No, that’s not what you should do; you should ____.”
The frown on her face said it all. Not knowing how to fully connect with her, I decided to engage in small talk. Maybe that would lighten her up.
“It’s such a cool morning,” I pronounced.
She snapped back, “I’m not focused on that at all; I am focused on getting to my destination on time.”
Okay, I thought, I’d better just keep my mouth shut. So, I did.
All the same, while we quietly walked together, I wondered, "Is it me? Am I the problem? Does she not like me?"
Possibly. Not everyone will like me. She very well may not like my talkative personality, loud laugh, or chipper attitude about life. Yet, I am not responsible for making her like me; I am responsible for serving Jesus.
“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10 NIV)
If I let what she thinks about me define me, suddenly, I serve the purpose of convincing her that I am likable, wonderful, and worthy. In a sense, serving her only serves me and my ego. Getting my value from man can easily get me off-track with the Lord.
I cannot afford to serve man more than my Master.
Upon coming to this realization, I see this woman’s issue with me is her issue; it does not belong to me. My concern is to walk in love and not judgment, forgiveness, and not bitterness. I haven’t walked a day in her shoes. What do I know about all her problems? What do I know about how to fix her? What can I do to ever please her?
With all this settled in my heart, I realize that I must exert one of the most incredible superpowers I have in Christ Jesus, forgiveness. I choose to forgive her time and time again. She gives me a face – forgive. She responds irritably – forgive. She tells me that I should have known something – forgive. She responds with a contrarian opinion – forgive.
I am not powerless; I am powerful when I, by the grace of God, forgive as Jesus forgave me. Forgiveness is a superpower for those willing to get over themselves in order to love like Jesus. I can’t say I always do it right, either. Sometimes, I lash out or criticize people in my mind. Afterward, I feel upset with myself about how I acted. Have you ever noticed that the hardest one to forgive can often be ourselves?
Forgiveness is not solely given; it is often received. After we tell Jesus we are sorry, we can receive His love and grace and let go of all we hold against ourselves. For instance, I had to ask Jesus to forgive me for judging this woman. But, after that, by His grace, I received the free gift of a slate wiped clean.
I am wholly loved and clean in Jesus’ eyes, thanks to what He did on the cross. So are you, too, when you come to Jesus this way.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Who is annoying you? What would it look like for you to walk in constant forgiveness? How might you be holding anger towards yourself? Take a second to write down on a piece of paper everyone you are angry at, annoyed with, or accusing in your mind. After writing that list, take a second to forgive each person. Perhaps, after completing that list, ask God to forgive you for whatever you have done, such as judging or gossiping. Then, receive His grace and forgiveness that makes you white as snow.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/fizkes
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