I know that you’ve probably got a mile long list of New Year’s Resolutions for 2012 and one is probably that you are not going to let what folk say about you get to you. Yea, you – the one that’s worried about what folk say because God is blessing you in YOUR season. Chile, let folks talk because the more they talk the more God hears your name. See, when folks utter your name and they mean it for your bad, God is listening and the more they talk the smaller their blessing bucket gets and the larger yours becomes. Let them folk hate because the more they hate the higher your footstool becomes to raise you up over the mess! Hmph! God don’t deal with mess but he shonuff deals in mercy and while you worried about who is doing the talking and what they are saying, God has already worked it out. See, a gossip (one who is always running their mouth about other folks business) is usually a liar and the bible states Proverbs 12:22 “Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight.” So, as long as you are faithful, thankful and a blessing to others, God will continue to bless you even when you think you don’t deserve it. When you feed people even when you don’t have much, he’ll never let you go hungry. When you offer shelter to folks when you are barely making it, he’ll never let you be without. When you praise him in and out of your storm, he’ll always be your protector and your provider.
Proverbs 10:19 says “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” When you hold your tongue it doesn’t make you weak because many times you get caught up with your emotions and then you say stuff that you may soon regret. But if you let what folks say and think about you roll off your back then they will eventually find somebody else to talk about. However, if you keep jumping into mess with folks who don’t have anything better to do but belittle others, then you’ll soon be covered in it too. Proverbs 26:20 says “Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.” So what, about what folks say about you? It doesn’t matter what you’re called, it matters as to what you answer too. So what, folks say you did this and that to get your job, if it isn’t true then why are you worried? Let your work speak for you. So what folks say you must be doing this and that to have the house you stay in and the car you drive, if it isn’t true why are you worried? If God ordained it, he’ll surely give you the means to maintain it. So what folks said you’d never amount too much, now you’re a success in your career and they are begging for a job, show them the goodness of God in your life. You don’t have to do what folks say you do and you don’t have to be who folks say you are but be who God made you.
When you stoop to the level of the person who is calling you out, then you become just as sinful as they are? It’s like you jumping off a bridge to see what’s at the bottom because somebody is screaming for you to jump when you know the only thing at the bottom, for you, is death – would you jump? Then why would you argue with a foolish person when it only makes you look just as foolish? Now, I know that sometimes this can be easier said than done and it’s hard to turn the other cheek but baby, sometimes walking away is in your best interest. Proverbs 10:11 says “The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.” Then the bible goes on to say “Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence (Proverbs 10:6).” See, when you keep your mouth you keep your blessings and you keep God’s protection over you. Now, if that doesn’t keep you from running your mouth, then I don’t know what else to tell you. Sometimes, keeping your mouth keeps your life; don’t believe me, read Proverbs 11:8 which say “A righteous person is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked takes his place (World English Translation). You’re mad because you’ve applied for a manager/team lead position but you keep getting overlooked. But, child, if you’re the one always complaining about other folk, gossiping about other folks business and always tending to things that have nothing to do with you, who would promote you? If management won’t give you small responsibilities, what makes you think they’ll put you over folk’s personal information? See, your mouth has preceded you and they’ve already counted you out. Proverbs 20:19 says “Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.” So shut your mouth sometimes and you’ll soon stop blocking your own blessings.
Let folks talk! Let folks hate! Let folks judge! Let folks do them but you continue to do you. If your goal is to stay out of mess, then keep your mouth. Tell your haters to hate and your enemies to wage war against you because even on your bad days, you’re even closer to God. When folks hate, they hinder themselves and in their hindrance comes your healing and through your healing comes hope and with hope you got faith and faithfulness paves the way for favor and favor ain’t fair but it sure is fabulous.
Lakisha, the Author 