The best advice I’ve ever been given would have to be:
If you live for the praises of people, you’ll fall by their criticism.
As words dominate our world and define our worth, we rise and fall either by what is said about us, or what is said for us. It either lifts our spirits or crushes them. It seems there is no in between.
In times of praise, our elated egos are pleased, but in times of criticism, the pendulum swings. If we continue to live this way, we are always out of balance. Always tossed to and fro, as the waves by the wind.
Too often I’ve found, the ones who praise you today, are the same ones who criticise tomorrow.
To live for the audience of One.
A statement that set me free a very long time ago.
When I live to please the Prince of Peace then I can live in peace. The face of the crowd changes daily, but He does not. This Prince crowns me with peace. Shalom. Whole.
I live as I am supposed to. Confident in my identity, in who He says I am, certain in purpose, and clear in my pathway. Some may laugh and make fun, but it soon becomes merely gravel upon the path I walk. Others may sing my praises. The truth is that both of these are equal imposters. Praise and criticism. Neither belong to me.
For the sweet cross defined my worth, and set me free from every spoken word that did not come from Him.
Now, this I know. I am who He says I am.
To live for the audience of one alone.
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