By GARY ANDREWS
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I think that each one of us should realize that we are special and unique. God made us this way He wants us to be this way and we need to accept this. In this world today we find many people, who want to change their bodies, alter their lifestyles, and go against the norm in everyday living. I believe that these type individuals are searching for something that will build them up and let them know they are accepted.
Something that everyone should realize is that God doesn’t make mistakes! We alter His plans because we are driven by worldly values and go searching for better things than we have.
Many of us believe we have no friends and that the people around us don’t like us and just tolerate our being. In some instances this is true but it isn’t because of them, it is because of us.
When I was a youngster in junior high school I was very shy. I was afraid to speak up and state my case even when I had something to say. I kept quiet in class knowing that I had the correct answer to questions and would sit back in my desk waiting for someone else to speak up. My shyness led to some form of insecurity in the classroom because I was afraid to talk to my fellow students.
Yes, I had many friends but I wanted everyone to be my friend. I would search out the students that were shyer than I was and talk with them trying to help their ego. I would forego the opportunities of talking with the more popular students because I felt inferior.
As I have matured and gone in a different direction than most of my classmates I realized that if I wanted to succeed in this world I was going to stand up and speak up to make a difference. When one goes into the sales profession the first things he or she learns is that you cannot be shy on sales calls, you must know your product and speak to the advantages of it, and to listen to the customer.
I have learned through the years that even when I thought I was inferior to some of my classmates I was really their friend. Many that I have come across in my retirement years are very cordial and recall some of the good times we had in high school. I find that most of them are interested in where life has taken me and I am pleased to learn the direction they have gone also. I have overcome my shyness and the Lord has placed me in some tremendous locations allowing me to have friends throughout a vast area.
A friend from long ago once said that every time he saw me I was smiling. This is a trait that I have because God gave me happiness and I want to share it with others. There is an old saying, “A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don’t like you.” This is a true statement and over my years of management and dealing with the public, I have found this to be a very worthy help mate.
The one friend that I have always had and count on is the Lord God. Proverbs 18:24 states, “A man who has friends must himself by friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
We all need to realize that every night, someone thinks about us before they go to sleep. To someone else you may mean the world to them and this is why God made us special and unique. We need to live up to our potential and quit worrying about what others think about us and lead the life that God has allowed us to have. Be a friend to everyone whether you want to or not. It will pay dividends in your future.
Prayer: Lord I pray that I have befriended all of the people that you want me too. I pray that I can be the example that will lead someone to you. Amen.
(Suggested daily Bible readings: Sunday – Luke 5:17-26; Monday – Isaiah 41:8-10; Tuesday – John 15:11-17; Wednesday – Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Thursday – 2 Timothy 1:13-18; Friday – Proverbs 17:17-18; Saturday – James 4:1-6.)
Gary Andrews is the author of Encouraging Words: 30-days in God’s Word. To obtain a copy go to his website www.gadevotionals.com.