FREE FROM THE OPINIONS OF OTHERS

"It matters very little to me what you think of me . . . the Master makes that judgment." 1 Corinthians 4:3 (TM)

If you let it, criticism will:

(1) Steal your individuality,

(2) Rob you of your creativity,

(3) Stop you from fulfilling your God-given assignment.

Insecure people will always criticize you. Why? Because they're threatened by things that don't conform to their way of thinking. On the other hand, secure people can allow you to be different, because they themselves are secure in who they are. They don't need to blow your light out, in order to let their own light shine.

Paul says Jesus "made Himself of no reputation" (Philippians 2:7). Sometimes the worst thing that can happen to us is getting a great reputation, because then we have to promote it and protect it.

Jesus wasn't concerned about what others thought of Him. He had a goal - to do His Father's will; no more and no less. And He knew that to do it, He had to be free from the opinions of others. So do you!

The greatest tragedy in life is growing old knowing that somewhere along the way you lost yourself and never succeeded in being who God called you to be.

That's why Paul wrote, "It matters very little to me what you think of me, even less where I rank in popular opinion . . . . The Master makes that judgment" (1 Corinthians 4:3-4 TM). Can you say that too?