Man-Made Thought Life

I got caught by the snare of worrying about what people thought of me yesterday. And it wasn't just one instance that concerned me, but I could find something in every part of my life that would pierce my mind and have me believe, "They think you are a fool," or "You are unreliable," or "You don't have what it takes."
It's not unusual that I worry about others' thoughts of me. Like I told my friend, I am Greek... worrying comes with the blood! But, yesterday was nothing more than an all out attack on my thought life, and my attitude was pummeled with defeat, and having caught a cold as well, I was physically and emotionally beat.

Today, I opened the Word. I have been pretty consistent in doing this each morning, but today I did it out of desperation to control my thought life. And wouldn't you know, I came to the most appropriate passage just by flipping open the Book:

"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10

The example of Paul is so perfect for anyone who sways toward letting men's approval define how they act, what they say, what they think. It reminds me that my focus should not be on men, but on God. If I am blameless in God's eyes, then what does it matter if I might be condemned by men? And really, how often have I been wrong in assuming I've let someone down? Trust me, it's been a lot!

The Scripture goes on to say: 

"I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ." Galatians 1:11,12

If I truly trust God, then I know that I can depend on His Scripture. It is not man-made, but divinely inspired, written to assure me that He is alive and active, accepting and assuring, and I am loved by the God of the Universe! What can man do to me? Even if I have failed someone, if I lean into my Lord, and do all I can do to seek forgiveness, then shouldn't I step forward, with my yoke of burden firmly resting on Christ?

What peace is discovered when God speaks through Scripture!

Thank you, Lord, for never failing me, never giving me false Word or false thought. You love me inpite of myself.

Amen!