“Why do your disciples play fast and loose with the rules?” But Jesus put it right back on them. “Why do you use your rules to play fast and loose with God’s commands?” Matthew 15:2–3 (MSG)
One day I was waiting in a fast-food restaurant and had a chance to watch the way the employees interacted with each other. It was clear that one of the employees wasn’t well liked by the others. They teased and harassed him, and he just took it with his head down.
It occurred to me that this guy must have accepted their collective judgment. The others had made assumptions about who he was. By putting up with their behaviour, he was accepting the identity they had given him.
I know there are times when you can’t just quit your job or leave a situation, but never accept the judgments others throw your way. Get some support and stand up for yourself because if you accept their lies about you, you’ll live them out.
You will be bound by the judgements of others unless you decide to be free of them. You can’t always control what others will say, but you can control your reaction.
Think of Jesus. He faced criticism, but He didn’t feel the need to prove anything to anyone. He knew who He was, so it didn’t matter what anyone else thought. At the same time, He was no one’s doormat and He always spoke up for what He believed in.
It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks of you. Every person deserves to be treated with respect. In most cases, however, you decide how you will be treated. What will you tolerate?
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