“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
-Words of Jesus, John 16:33
Living humbly in the shadow of the cross of Christ, which is a reflection of God’s great love for you, means we don’t have to prove ourselves to anybody, ever. You don’t have to prove anything – not to me and not to God because of the cross. God has called us into the easy yoke of Jesus. We can live humbly in this life, and not carry that very, very heavy burden of trying to get people to like us and respect us.
A nurse from Australia named Bonnie Ware, who spent her career working with dying people, decided to journal what these dying people regretted in the last days of their lives:
Number five – I wish that I had let myself be happier.
Number four – I wish that I had stayed in touch with my friends.
Number three – I wish that I had had the courage to express my feelings.
Number two – I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.
Number one – I wish I had the courage to live true to myself, and not the life that others expected of me.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I want to let go of others’ opinions of me and live only and always for you. Amen.
Reflection: Describe the area of your life most influenced by the opinions of others.