“Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12:1 ASV
In this world of instant communication and social media, it seems we are always under scrutiny. No matter what we do, someone has a comment. They may be affirming, or sympathetic, or supportive. But sometimes, the comments are aimed at criticizing, ridiculing, even mocking us.
It’s the kind of thing that can make us retreat, stifle our creativity, discourage us from sharing any news at all about our lives.
A younger friend of mine gave me a new perspective about this. Like me, she has worked hard at changing her life, becoming healthier. Along the way, there were many who had cheered her on. But, she said she was also grateful for those who had not been so kind. After all, those unpleasant comments were part of the incentive to make a change. They had been that little irritating piece of sand in the oyster that helped her remake her life into a beautiful pearl.
Over the past year and a half, I have literally been working to lay aside that extra weight. I still have to finish the race. With that great cloud of witnesses along for the ride, I am ready to continue to run with patience.
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