Do you have a filter?
According to Dictionary.com, to filter something is to “slow or partially obstruct the passage” of it. Think of a coffee maker or a sink drain. But filters are found beyond the kitchen. In fact, our minds can have filters!
What do I mean by that? Here’s an example.
The other day I was confiding in a person I greatly respect. She told me, “Millions of people are dealing with the same thing you are. Everyone is dealing with something.”
My first response was to get defensive. I felt like she was saying my experience didn’t matter. But after I took time to think about it, I realized what had happened. Where I heard “Get over it!” she was actually saying, “You’re not alone.”
How did that happen? I had a filter.
We are born open and innocent. Look how simply a 4-year old accepts whatever you tell him! But negative life experiences can create filters. And from then on, every word and action toward us gets twisted from it's original intent.
A filter can be rejection, fear, performance, apathy … you name it. And the problem is that no matter how encouraging the people around you are, your filter doesn’t allow you to receive the goodness they are trying to give you.
So how do you change it? I’ll tell you what I did. I took my eyes off of myself, and looked at the person who spoke with me. I know her, and I know her character. I know she would never beat down someone who was already feeling crushed.
That meant the problem wasn’t with her, it was with me. Now I had a choice to make. Was I going to trust in her character and be encouraged? Or was I going to believe something that sounded suspiciously like the voices of my past that had kept me isolated for so long?
Then I had to go to the Word of God. If I’m dealing with rejection or fear, I need to declare His promise to never leave or forsake me until I believe it. I must find my acceptance and courage in Him. And I am careful how I listen from then on - I don't allow that filter to slip back over my ears!
Now the choice is yours. Take the time to look at your response to what (trusted) people are saying to you. Is what you’re “hearing” is drawing you closer to God, His goodness and His people? If not, look at your filters. Then go to the Word to find the Truth that will refute every lie that has kept you from God’s goodness.
What do I mean by that? Here’s an example.
The other day I was confiding in a person I greatly respect. She told me, “Millions of people are dealing with the same thing you are. Everyone is dealing with something.”
My first response was to get defensive. I felt like she was saying my experience didn’t matter. But after I took time to think about it, I realized what had happened. Where I heard “Get over it!” she was actually saying, “You’re not alone.”
How did that happen? I had a filter.
We are born open and innocent. Look how simply a 4-year old accepts whatever you tell him! But negative life experiences can create filters. And from then on, every word and action toward us gets twisted from it's original intent.
A filter can be rejection, fear, performance, apathy … you name it. And the problem is that no matter how encouraging the people around you are, your filter doesn’t allow you to receive the goodness they are trying to give you.
So how do you change it? I’ll tell you what I did. I took my eyes off of myself, and looked at the person who spoke with me. I know her, and I know her character. I know she would never beat down someone who was already feeling crushed.
That meant the problem wasn’t with her, it was with me. Now I had a choice to make. Was I going to trust in her character and be encouraged? Or was I going to believe something that sounded suspiciously like the voices of my past that had kept me isolated for so long?
Then I had to go to the Word of God. If I’m dealing with rejection or fear, I need to declare His promise to never leave or forsake me until I believe it. I must find my acceptance and courage in Him. And I am careful how I listen from then on - I don't allow that filter to slip back over my ears!
Now the choice is yours. Take the time to look at your response to what (trusted) people are saying to you. Is what you’re “hearing” is drawing you closer to God, His goodness and His people? If not, look at your filters. Then go to the Word to find the Truth that will refute every lie that has kept you from God’s goodness.
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