Off we
GO....
Acceptance, something I've searched for my entire life. When I didn't find it? I cowered and became an introvert because all I knew was pain and suffering from those around me. All the people that seemed to have accepted me for me, in the end turned around to become my biggest areas of hurt.
While I know where my true acceptance lies, I still find myself clinging, hoping for those around me to accept me. If they don't seem to be, I would find myself molding into the person that I thought they wanted me to be.
That was until I read this verse in Galatians:
"For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ."
When I found this verse, it was like a two by four had just struck me between my eyes. It was at that point that I realized what I'd been doing my entire life. Not only because it's what I knew, but it's what I learned from watching those around me.
I've always been called a "people person". I think that's because of my habit to become the door mat, the one that goes with the flow, the one that doens't cause waves.
So over the past year when I realized that when I'm accepted by God and it doesn't matter so much who accepts me here, it was a culture shock for those surrounding me.
Did they all like it? not in the least. Do I now have less friends because of it? Yes.
As soon as I found myself saying no and standing up for my self and what I believe, I had friends flaking out left and right. But I'm okay with that because my acceptance resides in Christ.
STOP
How did you get into my head?! This is me; I could have written this!!! So encouraging, thank you!
ReplyDeleteThis is my hearts spilled out in 5 minutes. So glad you could relate and were encouraged. Thanks for stopping in!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you have learned to stand by your convictions, no matter how unfavorable they may have been to your friends. True friends accept you just as you are and will love you because of and sometimes in spite of it.
ReplyDeleteThank you so very much for your kind words on my post over at Shell's place. Wishing you all the best for a lovely weekend. Xoxo
Thanks for stopping by Chralotte. :) It's not been an easy road by any means. but the lessons I've learned through it have definitely been worth it.
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