Depending on the version of the Bible you read, it comes across differently. The first time it struck me, I read it in the Good News Bible* - which is no longer a common version - possibly an indication of my age ;). Well, God always provides for His own - I recently found another version I really like:
"The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that."(The Message)
Talking about the place, purpose and promise attached to rising and radiating, we all need to hold this verse close to our heart.
God may have spoken to you on what He needs you to do to radiate His glory where you are. It may not be one of the easiest things you have been asked to do and possibly those around you think differently. In fact they may think so differently that you begin to doubt if you ever heard God. Once you let that seed of doubt to take root in your heart - you'll be paralyzed by fear, lack of confidence, inertia and many other strange feelings the devil quickly plants alongside fear.
If you believe that God has given you a sound mind**, and you know that you have heard from God before why should this instance be different? It can only be different if you are no longer aligned with God's purposes for your life or stepped out of His path of righteousness. If not, then you must not let people's opinion that conflicts with God's word deprive you of advancement - you must not become "paralyzed" because of what people say.
Look around you and learn:
- if Moses had joined the Israelites to wail about the Red Sea, he would have been so paralyzed that he won't have stretched out the rod which initiated the parting of the Red Sea. (Exodus 14: 10-31). When you remain steadfast trusting and obeying God, others will also trust God, that's what happened to Moses.
- if David listened to what his brothers and even the anointed king Saul said, he would not have stepped up and killed Goliath. (1 Sam 17:28-58) David's trust in God also brought victory to an entire nation.
- if Ruth had listened to her mother in law, Naomi, and returned to her people, she would not have been part of the lineage of Christ. (Ruth 1: 8-18; 4: 13-22). Ruth's trust in God resulted in a happy and fruitful marriage and she is an example of a virtuous woman even for us today.
- if Jesus had listened to Peter, He would not have given up His life for our salvation. His trust in God protected him from that. (Matt 16: 21-23)
- if Ben Carson had accepted what his teacher said to him, he would not have amounted to very much in life. His mother trusted in God and taught him to do the same and that led him to become a person of renown (http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/car1bio-1). In fact each letter in the title of one of his books "Think Big stands fro soemthing; personally, the last letter is the most important one:
G stands for "God = Never get too big for Him"
There are so many more examples of those who ignored the opinions of men and stepped forward trusting God - they rose and radiated...so can you. When you rise and begin to radiate, please don't forget Dr Ben Carson's advice - never get too big for God...so He won't be finished with you.
God bless
References:
* I found out that Good News Bible has been renamed Good News Translation (http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/Good-News-Translation-GNT-Bible/). I also found the verse as I first learned it: "It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you, but if you trust the Lord, you are safe." (GNB/GNT)
**1Tim 1: 7 - "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control." (Amplified Bible)
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