Save Her Reputation…
A friend and I were visiting a church in our community. When we arrived, the Pastor’s wife greeted us and remarked how great we looked. My friend commented, “Yeah, with the nappy head and all,” referring to my hair as if I were having a bad hair day. The words stung. I felt like I had been punched in my gut, so much so, that it took a few minutes to recover. After a few awkward moments, I regained my composure and made it through the church service.
Once home, still reeling from the comment and feeling deeply hurt, I called a friend to share the experience with her. I really wanted someone else to understand my hurt, but more than anything, I wanted to expose this woman of God. In the midst of the conversation, I felt the sweet prompting of the Holy Spirit say, “Save her reputation.” Then, “Do for her what you would want her to do for you.” I stopped in my tracks because I knew that I would want her to save my reputation. So, I stopped talking, ended the conversation, and prayed to God to help me overcome the offense and walk in love, which included saving her reputation.
Friends, have you been offended or betrayed by someone? If we are totally honest, we would have to admit that we all have been both the offender and the victim. Keeping this in mind helps us humble ourselves and forgive. Sometimes people stumble and rather than kicking them while they are down, we need to pick them up, even if we are the victim of their stumble. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ is the perfect example. He had the power to stop all of his accusers, but he did not. Jesus understood his purpose and He walked in it refusing to be halted by anyone. Saints of God, we must do the same.
God placed each of us here and He knows all about us. Luke 12:7 says that “even the very hairs of your head are all numbered”. He is our Creator and our God. He adores us and has a plan for our lives. That fact should keep us on course. So, when offenses in the form of negative comments, slights, or attacks on our character come–and they will–stand as Jesus did and pray for the accusers. Vengeance belongs to the Lord.
Understand this my friend, we cannot do this in our strength. It takes the power of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The good news is that He gave us that power when He gave us the Holy Spirit. The caveat, you must put your trust in Him. He is waiting for you to come. When you hear Him knocking at the door of your heart, don’t harden your heart, just open up and allow Him in. He will come in and sup with you. Simply ask, “Lord Jesus please save me. I am a sinner, and I deserve death, but I am humbly asking you not to give me what I deserve. I believe that you died on the cross for my sins and God raised you from the dead. Please save me.” The Bible says in Romans 10:9, that if we confess with our mouth and believe in our hearts, we shall be saved.
Did you pray that prayer? If so, I would love to hear about it. Please drop me a line at [email protected]. May God richly bless you my friend.
For God’s Glory,
Tahnee
“Save My Reputation” really resonated with me. So many times people feel as though things that they say or do, do not bother me. However, in reality, it really does. Plenty of times I wanted to say something or tell someone else, but I couldn’t. Now, I may distance myself from that person, but I am not in the business of tearing someone down or ruining their reputation. I never really looked at it like this until now, but the reason I couldn’t is simply because the Holy Spirit was guiding me and telling me not to do that. Plain and simple. Thank you for this!!