I Shall Not Be Moved

One important lesson in life is not to be unduly influenced by what other people say or think.  Some people are encouragers, others are discouragers, and others are determined to hinder.  It is good when people encourage us on our way; appreciate it, but don't depend on their encouragement; you can survive without it.  And don't let the naysayers stop you from your goals; there will always be people who tell you everything is hopeless.  Don't listen to them.

In the old tv series The Six Million Dollar Man and Get Smart, Steve Austin and Maxwell Smart sometimes faced enemy machines and robots which seemed nearly indestructible, impervious to damage.  But humans are not robots.  We have feelings; we can be hurt.  Even if we don't like to admit it, we can be made angry, lose our tempers, or cry.  Emotions are natural, and in many cases they are good.

But emotions can become our enemies if we let them rule our lives.  Everything must have its rightful place.  We must learn to forgive and not holding grudges.  A lot of people say unkind things without thinking.  Don't take them too seriously.  Proverbs 19:11 says, "The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression."

Don't let what other people say bother you; they won't judge you on Judgment Day.  God is your judge, and He is the only one to whom you must give account of your life.  It's what God thinks of you that really matters.  When you're tempted to become discouraged or upset by what other people say, think of the song, "Jesus is my Savior, I shall not be moved."

"For the Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint,

 and I know that I shall not be ashamed."  --Isaiah 50:7