YOU

Have you ever been the victim of somebody saying something hurtful about you? Calling you names, making fun of things you like, picking apart your mannerisms or personality? I know I have, and sometimes it was by some of my best friends, behind my back, who probably still don’t know that even though I wasn’t there, I heard every word they said about me. Those things hurt- a lot, whether you want them to or not. I found myself then looking in the mirror and literally picking myself apart based on what others deemed as “ugly”, I found myself being more intentionally quiet and reserved for fear of being too “loud”, and so much more about my spirit and confidence were absolutely broken, for years. Overcoming that was something I truly had to work on, intentionally, for a long time. I prayed that God would restore my confidence in who I was, restore my voice that I had lost, restore the freedom to be myself without fear of people only noticing and picking out what others had deemed as my flaws. I prayed and prayed and prayed, and cried a lot too, and then one day, it was like God opened my eyes to everything, all at once. 

What other people say of you, defines them, not you. 

We all hear that from our moms growing up, right? “They’re probably jealous, just ignore it!” At least that was what my mom always told me when I came home upset about things my middle school bullies said, when my best friends made fun of things about me that were “lame” or “annoying”, and I always rolled my eyes, denying that jealousy was ever a potential excuse for the things they were saying. Then… I grew up a bit more, I took a step back and listened to God to hear what He had to say, to hear what God had to say about ME, and I shifted my whole perspective. 

God gives us gifts to use in this world, to bless others, to help, to make a positive impact and to spread His love. I started viewing my gifts as amazing assets and not detriments to my character. 

Are you seen as odd for speaking to the “weird kid” consistently? 

You are kind. 

Do you cry a lot over things that don’t always involve you or that seem silly to be upset about? 

You are compassionate. 

Are you “weird” or “crazy”?

You are fun. 

Do you have abstract thoughts or feelings that others don’t always understand?

You are creative. 

Do you overanalyze things?

You are thoughtful. 

Do you ask for help more than you’d like to admit?

You are humble and prayerful. 

Are you too loud?

You possess leadership skills. 

Are you seen as argumentative or defensive?

You are firm in your beliefs. 

Notice a pattern?

All the things that you feel are negative about yourself, are definitely things people told you, when they tried to tell you who you are. The things bolded beneath are what God says about us. The things bolded are the truth, the gifts others saw in you, that they didn’t see in themselves, that they tried to destroy out of jealousy. 

Which voice are you going to listen to?

Which voice speaks truth and life?

I hope you all realize that those parts of yourself you try to hide, are the very things that make you special, unique and beautiful. 

God doesn’t make mistakes, and He knit you together himself; every inch of you. 

Take those gifts and go shine, even if it makes others uncomfortable. Then use your gifts to help others see theirs.  

xx, 

Tay