You don't "like" me?

Have you noticed that today's technology is centered around the word "like"? Well my obsession with the word "like" started long before Facebook invented a button for it. I have spent a good amount of time and energy over the past 38 years in the people pleasing business. After all , I have been doing hair almost 20 years and my job is pleasing. Imagine my disappointment when I learned that I can't please everyone. I can recall in my early years as a stylist lying in bed wondering if Jane, a made up person, liked her hair cut. Another time I recall I offended a long term friend as she took what was meant to be a compliment as an insult... Of course I did not know this til 2 years after since she no longer spoke to me. I could not understand how one phrase could end a friendship of 19 years. 

Now, that I am an official adult you would think life would be easier, but even now this mother, wife , daughter, salon owner and stylist still finds time to dwell on the the ones who don't like me. 

 

If we are all honest we want the approval of others and some of us may even be addicted . Have you ever compared yourself to someone? Envy their success and their seemingly "having it together"? I found myself doing just that this week. I was watching a YouTube video of famous  Christian speaker, Beth Moore, thinking wow..everyone loves her. She's funny, really cute , so intelligent & she has God's direct phone number. After listening to her I saw she had several comments below and something just made me click on the list and low and behold I was taken back and really sickened by the rude judgmental comments I read. That's when it clicked... If Beth let the negative opinions of others stick to her it would paralyze her for the calling of sharing the Gospel she is so passionate about. I was ready to go to bat for her but hating confrontation I avoided adding to the heated discussion. 

So I made a list of lies the enemy has sold me... Bought with lots of my valuable time. I then found a scripture that counteracts the lie. 

Lie#1 To be a good Christian everybody has to like you. 

This is such a dangerous lie because as I mentioned earlier it's impossible. If we find our worth in this will ultimately wind up not measuring up. 

Galatians 1:10 

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Lie#2 .. If I am a good Christian I must like everyone. 

This too is a dangerous lie because it may lead to un genuine gestures that are more guilt ridden than from a heart of love.  It is unrealistic to believe that you will be friends with everyone. But the word tells us that we must LOVE one another. Forgive one another as we are forgiven. This does not mean we have to be besties . 

1 John 4:8 

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Lie# 3 .. You have to be perfect for God to use you for his kingdom. 

Ever think to yourself .. Wow! I blew it!? I was put to the test and I blew it...literally. You just exploded and it was a reaction and pity party that left you wishing you could go back and play the cool , calm and collected one? Why would God want to use me? Maybe I am a fake? Well I have been there and have asked God search my heart many times over it. The answer is pride.. It's pride that would have us believe that our performance has any affect on what God can do in and through us. Nothing about us is perfect...EVER!! Except for JESUS!! Remember , there is a battle and  it's not flesh and blood. Sometimes we are not gonna get it right, but God's grace is there to cover us and teach us for future situations. He can use our mess for a message.

 New International Version

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Lie #4... You can have more than one BEST friend .

I always have had several best friends for different reasons. I could never pick just one. I am blessed with real friends who love me in spite if myself and I am so thankful to God for them. But, through life I have learned that people will let you down and sometimes you just need to fall into the arms of the one who knows you best. After all, he created you.

John 15:15 

No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

Last but not least....

Lie # 5... You will be alone.

This perhaps is the biggest fear of all. That we would be shunned forever by our peers, ourselves, our family , and even worse God. Satan loves this lie because if he can make you believe it then all your joy, peace and happiness is gone allowing depression , anxiety and loads of guilt to rob you of all your life was intended to be. 

Joshua 1:9 

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” 

Blessings,

Paula

Don't sweat it!!

Life is so short... Make everyday sweet ! Love the people in your life with all you have and try not to sweat the small stuff. That is my thought for the day. Yesterday my 34 year old client, mother of 3 small boys, sat in my chair and proceeded to tell me that she may have throat cancer. She seemed pretty convinced and I was speechless. It really made me think of what is most important. I can't even imagine what lies ahead of her. Made me wanna come home and hold my children and embrace this sweet short time. Please join me in praying for her and her family. Have a blessed day friends.

TAKE THIS WORLD AND GIVE ME JESUS!

       So, I haven't blogged in a while because of lack of concentration, the spirit just has not moved lately and has left me to wonder where all my creative inspiration went to. This month has been a overwhelmingly busy and stressful time for me and I seriously have been in a funk. Have you ever been there?? Overwhelmed, distracted, maybe even borderline depression? Is it possible to ADD and OCD at the same time?? There is so much noise around us that our minds between our normal obligations, texts, emails,& social media. My brain is starting to function as a news feed .
       I really don't know how we got here, but my only question now is , how do we fix it? A dear friend of mine, Lisa, and I were discussing this and we concluded that we needed to be in our bible more. Sounds simple right..??
        The enemy knows what he is doing and loves distracting us from God's presence in our lives. Wether it's our drive to push our kids to be the best, Facebook, TV, shopping, reading series of books, or maybe even a hobby that seems harmless. Where is our treasure? This same friend made a statement..".Why do we say we are not going to do something because we want to set an example for our children? Can't we just say that we want to please Jesus!"
         There is war raging around you and your soul is at stake. Do not be deceived the enemy is lurking and he wants nothing more than to steal your witness and make a hypocrite of us all. He doesn't just want you, he wants your marriage, your children, you finances, your heart and mind! So you might be in denial, such as I, but if you are not chasing God , unfortunately you are chasing the world. I could confess to you a long list of what has been standing in the gap from me and my relationship with Jesus, so I am not condemning anyone. I say Lord, begin with me!! Maybe being complacent doesn't seem like a bad place to be, but I refer to this scripture...

Revelation 3:16New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶ So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

     I don't know about you but this does not sound like a safe place to be. I can honestly say that is where I have been recently and I am thankful that through the scripture I am made aware and can push through. Here's to a new day! A fresh beginning!! Let's use it wisely so the world can see the difference. Life is better with Jesus!!

Ephesians 4:20The Message (MSG)

^20-24 But that’s no life for you. You learned Christ! My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.