Ponder In Your Own Hearts

"Reputation is what others think of us; character is what God knows of us. When you have spent what feels like eternity trying to repair a few moments of time that destroyed the view others once had of you then you must ask yourself if you have the problem or is it really them? God doesn’t make us try so hard, only enemies do.”

God doesn't make us try so hard. 

I'm really wrestling with guilt right now. People are talking about me - I'm no celebrity, but my life has sparked the interest, or rather gossip, of quite a few people. There are some people who really don't like me right now. I feel so degraded, so shamed, so worthless. 

But I'm sitting here reading Psalm 4: 

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!

    You have given me relief when I was in distress.

    Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!

  

O men,  how long shall my honor be turned into shame?

    How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself;

    the Lord hears when I call to him.

  

Be angry, and do not sin;

    Ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent.  

Offer right sacrifices,

    and put your trust in the Lord.

 

There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?

    Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!”

  

You have put more joy in my heart

    than they have when their grain and wine abound.

 

In peace I will both lie down and sleep;

    for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

When other people are slandering you and the devil is whispering sweet everythings of guilt straight into your heart, it's easy to think that God is disappointed, too. It's hard to feel forgiven by Him, when there are some people that you know will never forgive you. 

That's when it is most important to cling to His promises. Don't go talk to other people, and don't listen to them. Go to the Lord first. 

Ponder His promises: 
in silence, 
in solitude, 
in your heart.