You’re stupid…now go conquer the world.

There are a lot of mixed signals in this world about being unique. When you’re young you’re encouraged to be yourself and to dream big. Parents and teachers reinforce the idea that you can do anything you put your mind to. Then you get to high school. Not to say peer pressure doesn’t occur before this big chapter in life, and not to say that everyone has a negative experience, but generally speaking high school hits you like a bus. All of the sudden your self confidence and control is tested like never before at a time where you are still growing and learning who you are – and it doesn’t stop after your teen years.

Peer pressure is tough. It can often deter you from your purpose and mold you into a person you never wanted to become. But we often overlook it’s counterpart – the pressure we put on ourselves. Although opinions of and pressure from others is a very real thing, most of the time we are the ones sabotaging ourselves – often without even realizing it.

I could say anything to you right now – positive or negative. The only way my words could have a true impact on you, is if you chose to believe them. The same goes for the things you tell yourself. You’ve heard the classic phrase “hurt people hurt people.” Isn’t it also true that kind people are kind to people and motivated people motivate people? How are you treating yourself? The answer to that question reveals a lot about you.

 “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”
Luke 6:45

One thing I have learned to do for myself is flip insults to compliments. When someone has something negative or discouraging to say, I stop to think. What is the reason behind that comment? Oftentimes, people are hiding their own insecurities or jealousy when they lash out at others.  Don’t allow them to add insult to injury – beat them to the punch (no pun intended) and add grace to the insult instead. When you do this, make note that there is no injury. When you allow the views and opinions of this world to convince you that you are stupid, unloved or unattractive – you are simply distracting yourself from the purpose that God put you on this earth for.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

People often try to portray Jesus solely as a meek, quiet man. He was kind, but he was not a pushover. He was soft spoken at times, yet always bold. He was the best of both worlds (pun definitely intended here). The Bible says he was mocked and ridiculed maliciously. The Pharisees constantly accused him of blasphemy when he refused to deny being the Son of God, but he never changed his statement. He believed in who God said he was and never once allowed the opinions of others to affect that. Jesus taught us that despite what others think, it is what God thinks about us that truly matters. It isn’t about being right, it’s about being honest to who you are in Christ.

The first step is to truly believe with your heart that you are who God says you are. Sure, we all have flaws and tendencies that we need to actively work on; but when you start focusing on what you are good at and what you can do instead of what you need to improve, things will start falling into place. For example, I always used to hate how lazy I was. I would see people taking risks and pursuing their dreams and I would convince myself that I would never do the same. However, once I realized where those thoughts were coming from, I realized I wasn’t a lazy person – I was just insecure and afraid to fail. This realization changed my life and launched me into following my calling here to Nashville.

Positive affirmations are so important to your emotional and spiritual growth. If you read the promises in the Bible and think there is no way God is referring to or calling you, all you are doing is limiting yourself. Thoughts are like a train. When you have a negative or discouraging thought – stop. Think about where the thought came from – maybe anger or fear – and where it’s going. Decide if that’s somewhere you want to be. You will never have total control over your environment or the thoughts that pop into your head. You do, however, always have control over your reaction.

The world says you’re stupid for following Jesus? Great. This means it’s working. This means you’re offering something that is unlike anything else available on this earth. Peace that surpasses understanding. Joy in suffering. Confidence in humility. Fulfillment in serving. People often make fun of or discount what they don’t understand.

People may doubt and judge you at first, but stay consistent and true to yourself – the real you. The thing they once said was stupid, they will soon be wanting to know the secret to.

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.”

John 15:18-20

By Emily Meadowshttps://medium.com/@ByBreadcrumbs

Photo by averie woodard on Unsplash