A while ago, for some reason, I thought of the people who had a significant negative impact on my life; people who mistreated me - bullied, rejected, ignored, used. I guess one of the worst types of mistreatments occurred in highschool, when I was an insecure and unhappy 17 year old girl. I was going to a "white school", which means I was one of the very few "foreigners" in that school. I looked different from all the Dutch blond girls and I had an accent (still do!). In addition, I spoke up for other teens who got teased and couldn't stand up for themselves. All of this made me an easy target. I remember going to school crying, knowing that I would hear humiliating remarks thrown at me by the three school bullies, who were all in my class. I remember going back home crying, knowing that nothing will change anytime soon. I would come home, lock myself in my room and read the Psalms from the Bible. I found my comfort in God. He saw everything, He knew everything, and He gave me the strength to go through it all. He was there for me, encouraging me through His Word. It was better for me to go Through it, than if God would have made my life hurt-free pink fairytale. Because of that experience, I have more compassion for people who are hurt and I learned how to stand up and speak up for myself and for others.
God sees us now, but He also sees how we will be in the future. He saw me in the future, He knew I will be better again, confident and Shine Joy! This life is a race, and I believe that Jesus stands at the finish line cheering us on and telling us that All things are possible for those who love God and keep running towards Him.
The funny thing is, the people who made my life so miserable...I can't even remember their faces or names! All I know, I am much stronger now, and confident that with God, I can handle Any situation, no matter how hurtful or humiliating it is. If someone is making your life less pleasant now, trust me, after a while, you won't even remember their names! So is it really worth to get agitated and dwell on every negative thing people tell you? Don't let "little people" take away your joy. Don't get distracted. Shake off the negativity, get yourself a positive attitude by keeping your mind set on what God has to say. Start discovering who God is and on that journey you will find out who you are and step by step you will discover why you are here.
