Everyone has TWO names: Who YOU think you are and who OTHERS say you are …
It has always been said that how you are PERCEIVED is how you are eventually RECEIVED. What does that mean you ask? Simply put, if someone thinks you are a mean person, they will treat you like a mean person. If someone thinks you to be positive and fun, more than likely you will have quite a few more friends than someone who isn’t.
So often we dig ourselves into man-made holes and when we fall into them we blame everyone but ourselves. I love what Psalm 7:15 says:
He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.
Honestly, we as Christians do some pretty stupid things sometimes. The problem that we fail to comprehend is that every action we perform places a mark upon us for EVERYONE to see. People today, especially teenagers, mope around wondering why people view them in the light that they do — Poor choices will result in unfavorable consequences. On the other hand, do right and live right, and a POSITIVE mark is placed on your forehead (figuratively speaking of course) for everyone to see! The best part of all this? YOU get to choose how people PERCEIVE you! Look at this passage from Proverbs 22:
A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. – Proverbs 22:1
What an opportunity! We get to pick how and what we are going to be known as. Think right now of someone you think that is a liar … Now think of someone who you think is honest. Why did you pick the people you picked? It is because they gave you a reason! They picked their “name” and allowed you to perceive them that way.
Everyone has seen those, “Hello, my name is…” stickers right? Let’s imagine that you took a blank one and stuck it on your forehead and gave 10 people who you know fairly well a marker. Their job was to write how they perceived you on your sticker … What do you think it would say when they finished and you pulled it off? The choice is yours ….
TAKE AWAYS
- Our actions formulate the opinions that others have towards us
- Once someone has made their mind up, it’s hard to change it
- YOU ultimately get to choose how you are known and how you will be remembered
Leave a Reply