What Will Others Think?

What Will Others Think?

by Diana Scothorn

Over the years, when I would experience hardship, the biggest lie the enemy would whisper was, “What will others think”?

Let me share what I’ve learned. People think, wow, she has the same problems as I do. Strangely enough, our problems bring encouragement to others. It lets them know they’re not alone. We all have issues.

Only when we…

…trust Jesus, amidst our problems do people take notice. It’s charging ahead without yielding to the pressure that brings God glory! It demonstrates He’s more significant than our problems at hand! More importantly, those who don’t believe have hope when they see victory, despite our hardships.

When we’re concerned with what people think, we allow the devil to bring Insecurity creating doubt. It will ultimately stop our victory. Insecurity is nothing more than a lack of self-worth!

I’ve struggled with both insecurity and lack of worth. Insecurity is a result of a lack of confidence in God! As we grow in our relationship with the Lord, our confidence will grow too. Image is a global problem bringing insecurity! How our body looks, how our marriage appears, how well we’ve raised our children, our career status, and financial success, are all images that project concern about what people think.

When we’re secure in who we are because of who Jesus is in us, we realize we have all we need! Mathew 6:34 clearly instructs us not to worry. Believe it or not, worry is defined as a torment to oneself with disturbing thoughts. When we worry about what others think, it brings unnecessary agony. Security in Jesus allows us not to care what others think.

I am not suggesting having a haughty spirit, but our confidence must be in Jesus! It only matters what Jesus says and thinks. When we go from worrying about “what people think”, to TRUSTING JESUS we become secure and confident in the truth!

I’ve struggled in the past with the feeling of needing to defend myself. It was my way of guarding my heart against assault or further injury happening to me. My role is to trust Jesus with my circumstance!

Romans 8:34 says Jesus sits on the right side of the throne, interceding for us daily. Jesus is the defender of the brethren. Satan is the accuser of the brethren. (Revelation 12:8) I’ve learned my actions demonstrate the love of Jesus, and when my heart is right; it doesn’t matter what others think!

The very people who often question us, in the beginning, are the same people who eventually come to us in the end for answers and prayer in their time of need. Psalms 46:1 says God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in our time of need. The more we grow and develop in the truth of the Word, the less we are concerned about what others think!