Let Your Light Shine
The saying, “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me,” is a fallacy. Words can hurt. Sometimes, the harm is immediate; other times, it is a harm that festers over time erupting into something unrecognizable after the brain has been inundated to capacity with hurtful statements. Growing up, I was advised to listen to the life lessons of others so I wouldn’t make the same mistakes. As I absorbed various ideologies and beliefs from family members, friends, strangers and media, by the time I reached high school, I was sure that I was prepared with enough wisdom to combat any situation that life may bring my way. However, one day as I was in the middle of a conversation with a loved one, regurgitating advice I had once heard, I was told that I would “emasculate my husband” and he would complain that I “wouldn’t let him be a man.” In the moment, I ignored it, but the sentiment stayed with me.
At 18, the only way I knew how to not emasculate a man was to not be too strong or too opinionated or too of anything to receive acceptance. However, no matter how much I didn’t speak my mind, my situationships failed.
About ten years later, I met a guy I knew I wouldn’t end up with, but I liked the attention, so I entertained him. I thought the best way to get rid of him was by being myself. I was sarcastic; I called him out on lies; I spoke my mind; I did everything I wanted to, thinking eventually he would give up and leave me alone, yet he continued to come around.
That’s when the lightbulb hit me: you don’t have to not be yourself to keep guys around.
Later, I discovered dimming my light for others to accept me was something I had continually done throughout my life through various types of relationships. I heard a prophetess say that there are people anointed to be your friend. These people can let your light and their light shine simultaneously. They uplift and encourage you. They root for you even when they are down.
I’m reminded of two instances in the Bible where characters were supported just for being themselves. The two instances are: the book of Esther and the relationship between David and Jonathan.
In the book of Esther, Esther never pretended to be anything she wasn’t, yet she received favor from the King and workers in the palace. Because of this favor, God used her to stop the killing of the Jews.
David and Jonathan were best friends. Jonathan was the son of King Saul. When Saul realized that David was increasing in popularity among the Jews and realized he could be overthrown, he planned to kill David. David was able to escape because of Jonathan. If anyone should have been worried about David taking his spot as king, it should have been Jonathan, but instead, Jonathan supported and loved David.
As I close this blog post, I implore you to never dim your light for ANYONE.
Those who are meant for you will accept you. Until God brings them your way, walk with the light God has given you and trust that He is with you ALWAYS.
