As a human, you must always be prepared for opposition. In particular, you must be prepared for the nay-sayers and the haters. These are the people that would love to see you fail and desire for you to fail in trying to live the life that you deserve. At times it may be unexpected people you used to truly trust to help you along on your life journey....other times it can be obvious enemies, or even people who don't know you very well at all.
I've had moments when all I could think is "how could they do this to me; I trusted them??" or "I'll never be able to overcome people's opinions because they only see me for my past", etc.
It is a reality of human nature that is hard to understand. rather than get discouraged and defeated you can use their unbelief to spur you on. I have found that there is nothing that can encourage you to take action more than having someone show doubt in what you can do.
I have not had a perfect past....but over the years I have grown and changed so much. There are people that have seen this growth in me, people who doubt in it, people who refuse to give me a chance based on my past, and people who have embraced me as the new person that I am. So many different reactions!! Now...I could focus on the negative people that don't believe in me or give me a chance, OR I can forgive them for their judgments, and be grateful for the people in my life that have based their opinion of who I am NOW!! See...if I focus on the negative, I could wallow in self pity wishing "everyone" would like me or not think badly of me. YOU KNOW WHAT....who cares what people think about you??? Honestly? I used to worry about it...and focus on it...and it made me MISERABLE!!! I have resolved within myself to not be miserable.What a waste of time that is!!
Can I tell you....the more negative people, places, things, relationships you sever the better!! That doesn't mean you don't care about people, but if they are bringing you down, cut them loose! That doesn't mean if a loved one is going through a hard time and need you to be there for them that THEY are a negative force in your life....I mean the obvious people who judge you, make you feel bad about yourself.
I remember someone I tried reaching out to once, basically threw every mistake I've ever made in my existence in my face. Was there any truth to what they were saying about who I WAS?? Some, Yes. Absolutely. Was there any truth to what they said about who I AM? Not at all. I battled inside feelings of wanting to prove to this person that they were wrong about me. But I realized that there was no point. I still care about this person, and I wish them the best....but I don't have anything to prove to anyone. I tried to make things right. It was their choice and absolute right to not want to.
Think of people in the past that have said you can’t do something....or are not worth it....or that you will always be who you used to be, etc. Is anything that they said true?? If not, then FORGET what they said and don't focus on it...if you do you will start to believe it!
"Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you'll start having positive results." ~Willie Nelson
God sees you as you really are. Don't doubt yourself. Stay on the good path you are on. Don't allow other people determine your worth, destiny, and character. The Bible says in Genesis as Joseph addressed his brothers: “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good…” Turn the negativity into a positive. Overcome all your opposition and prove them wrong.
(and yes....I just used God and Willie Nelson's wisdom at the same time) ;)
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