“The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” Job 33:4

Have you ever been told something about yourself that did not sit well with you?  I have, to be honest, many times.  Some were not the least bit true and were eating at me because I let the devil take hold of that comment and allowed him to poison me with it, somewhat damaging me forever.  Then there have been times when someone has said something to me with pieces of truth to it and I have still allowed the devil to corrupt what was meant for good into nasty negativity.

Recently I was told something that had some truth to it but I let the comment put a wall between who He created me to be and the path He was wanting me to travel on.  It has taken me an extremely long time to get right with God.  I was a mother’s worst nightmare teenager and a stomach turning young adult but finally opened my heart up for God to do with as He pleased.  My behavior, the one He designed for me, got me into a lot of trouble when I wasn’t using it to bring Him glory but now that same attitude and behavior are working for Him.  I am an abrasive (aggressive by definition not the “tending to annoy or cause ill will towards another” as the dictionary states) strong personality woman and that is okay because that is who He made me to be.  Many people in history are that way, to name a few: Martin Luther King Jr, Beth Moore, Billy Graham, Franklin Graham, Billy Sunday, Joyce Meyer, William Wilberforce…and the list can go on and on.

“But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.” Isaiah 64:8

These same people used the passion, fire, abrasive-ness and strong personality that God created in them to bring about change.  I know who I am in Him and am blessed to be given the opportunity to use who I am, that He created and continues to mold, for the furthering of His Kingdom.  There are still things that He is working in me and I will listen to and obey His truth every time I hear it, even if it means using my abrasive-ness in a silent manner, which might not make sense to most but it doesn’t have to make sense to anyone but God and me.

I have people in my life who I respect for their opinion and refer to them for godly advice but I always take that godly advice into consideration through prayer, seeking His wisdom from their advice.  This practice has meant so much to me because when I have sought some of that godly wisdom in the past and it has steered me wrong, with the best of intentions, His truth always speaks louder letting me know to thank the person and move forward towards Him.

I will continue to have Him refine who He has created me to be and that may not make some people happy but I have to remember that lots of people were not happy with Christ and His disciples either so I think I am in good company.

I am YOURS, LORD.  Have Your way with me.