Have you ever seen  or heard something over and over and managed to not really see it (or hear it)  until a specific moment?  That happened to me today for some reason.  I saw this image quote today on Facebook and it finally hit home for some reason.

Why is it that as people we often allow others to determine the weights and measures with which we attach value to ourselves? Why also does it take one “rotten apple” in the bunch to throw us off to the tip of our game.  We can get a thousand compliments, but it only takes a detraction or two and suddenly, we feel that THEIR words must be true because someone saw it.  Someone verbalized it, and in doing so, they must be speaking the truth.  Never mind the facts and all of the good things that you are and do daily.

Shut them up.  Do the opposite of what they expect you to.  Do not cower to them and their verbal vomit.  Stand up to them.  People often misjudge about how to do this and assume that they need to be just as cutting and rude to drag the offender down to the place that they have sent them.  I suggest that isn’t the case.  Thank them for their opinion, and remind them that it is just that, and you will be stepping over it as you move forward with who you are and the destiny that you have in this world.

As they sling daggers of pain, remind yourself that you are a product of HIM.  Put a small spin on Psalms 139:14 that says, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;  your works are wonderful, I know that full well”.  I find myself repeating this verse when those around seem to think it would be fun to push my “value buttons”.  It helps to create a shield around the heart that beats within me and I hope it can do the same for you.

Everything in this world is a choice, and He put the fire in our bellies to make the right ones.  One a favorite quotes from a friend that works in the world of domestic abuse  came from W.C. Fields and says, “it’s not what another calls you, it’s what you answer to.”  Stop answering to any sense of value less than you deserve.  Those that seek power will take it from any source they can get it from, usually without thought and remorse, so don’t just hand it over.