A friend called me up this week looking for prayer and some counsel. An influential person in his life thinks he’s a liar and is making life very difficult for him. He feels judged – it’s plaguing his thoughts. I told him to hang in there – I believe the person will discover their error in time and eventually will come to him and apologize.
All of our lives, people do this to us – they label and diminish us. But when an authority figure puts you down – especially in public – it can be devastating.
A boss may see the 10% of you that functions poorly in a given role at work and declare “Jones, you just don’t get it do you? You’ll never amount to anything.” Which is why I say, never trust someone with your role until you can trust them with your identity. If they don’t know who you are, then they are not likely to ensure a good fit with what you do.
Bosses are typically not a good source of information about your identity. Their feedback is too one-dimensional. Few people are to be trusted with this business of helping you define who you really are.
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Seth Barnes
I'm motivated to join God in his global reclamation project. He's on the move, setting his sons and daughters free from their places of captivity. And he's partnering with those of us who have been freed to go and free others.
That’s a great word! AMEN and AMEN!
So so so true!
Caroline and I have been discussing how we’re still learning how to think and act differently after having some of these negative experiences in our lives. It only takes a little while for other people’s opinions of you to start to influence your opinion of yourself. What a war to fight through those lies!
I’m very thankful I have a boss and co-workers that love, encourage, and affirm me. Thanks Seth!
thanks, Ericka. easy to be that way when i’m surrounded by stars like you!