“Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Col.3:12)
What others think about us may not define us, but it does matter. Some opinions inspire, while others dampen our spirits. For instance, I am frequently told that I am a strong woman. But few have the keen insight of a woman who recently described me as someone known for "holding it together," yet she went on to observe that this is my armor -- emotional outerwear, a thin veneer worn for survival. I thought of the parallel seen in nature, where shells, horns, etc. serve as defensive or offensive armor or both, in some cases making an animal almost unassailable.
Food for thought: Is my spiritual armor as carefully maintained as my emotional armor (Eph.6:11)? When I enter the world for each day's activities am I likely to attack because I start out with an offensive attitude? Or do I carry a defensive attitude that leads me to withdraw from interaction just to play it safe and avoid feeling vulnerable? Do I have the wisdom to know the difference?
The importance of how God can use the way others perceive me was brought home at a retreat I recently attended. The spiritual director opened the first session by asking, "How do you come?" We were to share with someone we didn't know our reasons for coming, so in the break-out session a beautiful young stranger approached me with a big smile. She had heard my testimony that I came grieving my husband's recent death, yet anticipating that God would meet me in a special way in this special place. My friend was impressed by what she sensed as my strong faith, and I am certain she wanted to experience that strength for herself, for she asked if I would mind holding hands and began sharing that she was in recovery seeking to overcome excessive drinking and a bad relationship that was only making matters worse. That was the beginning of a divine encounter that God was using to minister to me as well as through me.
I am convinced that this young lady was drawn to the spiritual attire in which God had clothed me for that day. What a wonderful thought that Christ was leading me so that others sensed the sweet aroma of His presence (2 Cor.2:14). I still remember her tight grasp on my hands and how my friend held on through the entire feedback time when the group was called back together. My prayer is that she has since accepted Christ and is holding tightly to His hand. Her recent text says in part, "...I have felt much more at peace after...listening to you and others about what faith is and...what it is not!...Thank you for your vulnerability, your faith, and most of all for your friendship..."