Don’t Be Swayed By Other People’s Opinions Of You
Something very interesting happened to me in the past 7 hours and I’ve got to tell you about it. This is going to encourage you!
Last night, right before I went to bed, I happened to come upon a negative review of my audiobook titled, “I Tried Until I Almost Died.” This lady was slamming both my voice and my book. But, but, but, but, but…as a result of the work God’s grace has done in my heart these past seven years, when I read the review I felt nothing but compassion for that lady. I actually prayed for her that she would come to the end of herself and receive a grace revelation!
If you only knew how bad the pre-grace revelation Sandra “needed” other people’s good opinions. It was probably my biggest hang up… for decades. But now, on the other side of grace, everything looks different! Even knowing that review will be there forever and there’s nothing I can do to remove it should be bothering me big time, BUT IT’S NOT!
I tell people all the time that I am never going to be able to get over the way God’s amazing grace has changed my heart, my mind and my life! I literally feel like I fall deeper in love with Jesus – the very person of grace – everyday because the way He has changed me!
So last night I prayed for the lady who wrote the bad review right before I fell asleep and I slept so peacefully. Then I wake up this morning to this picture (above) and email from my friend, Eluny, who lives in China! She had no idea what happened last night.
Now you know as well as I do that this was literally a kiss from heaven. In my heart it was as if God was saying to me, Just keep doing what you’re doing, Sandra…sharing the Good News with people by pointing them to my Son!
And do you know what one of the greatest miracles of living under grace is? Not only that the bad review didn’t make me feel deflated, but that this “good review” didn’t make me feel inflated with pride! It simply made me thankful as I felt the love of the Father sweeping over me… once again!
Grace does that to a person’s heart. It causes them to know it’s all because of Jesus and it’s all about Jesus! Now that’s FREEDOM LIVING my friend, and it is the life that God has for every single one of His children!
Always remember, there is literally no person on this planet who could ever stop you from fulfilling the call of God on your life so just keep doing what God has called you to do while remaining fully assured that HE is both with you and for you!
If you would like to check out my book or audiobook on cd or digital version, here’s my website store. If you would like to listen to a sample of my audiobook on audible, go here.
I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the Lord. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. (ERV)
If you have not yet made Jesus your Savior and received the wonderful joy that His finished work on the cross has provided for you to live in, please visit my page here titled Jesus In The Driver’s Seat. On this page I explain the good news of the gospel and you will have the opportunity to pray a prayer of salvation, making Jesus your Savior! Jesus loves you and His arms are wide open!
Sandra McCollom
Just want to say that I am another mind, another heart, another life, being affected and changed by your story of what God has done in your life and the beautiful and simplistic way you present it and shine your light through it. Yes, please keep doing what you have been doing! I know you don’t at all need this encouragement and accolade to feel worthy you already know you are in Christ, but I feel compelled anyway to say THANK YOU Sandra!
Annette, Thank You so much for taking the time to share this with me! I am encouraged! ????????
Thank you for inspiring so many with your uplifting, encouraging words. God has certainly blessed you with an amazing gift and you are such a blessing to others!
You’re welcome, Gina. It is truly my pleasure! ????
Your heart touches mine everytime…. thank you…. and thank you for being YOU!
That makes me so happy, Sandy! ????♀️????????
Thank you so much for sharing that Sandra. Please never stop doing what you do. I really appreciate your book and blogs and all your other material.
My problem is that whenever I form an opinion about something, as soon as someone says something contrary to what I believe, I start to doubt myself and then get led to believe that maybe what I’m thinking isn’t right (even though I may feel that my opinion is true to me). I very easily adopt other’s opinions, instead of remaining true to my own opinion.
Debbie, I’m gonna pray for you that you would begin to believe that you are led and guided by the Holy Spirit and your opinion matters. I’ll also pray that as your confidence in Christ grows you will see your confidence level go up, up, up in every part of your life. ????
Mooi ( Beautiful!) so encouraging!
Alex, I’m happy this brought you encouragement! ????
I can relate, Sandra! Keep doing what you’re doing. You have impacted my life in a very positive way!
Thank You, Stefania! I will!
Sandra…….I’m more like Debbie trying to be me. I’m discovering the more I let go of me and focus on Jesus……wanting to TRUST Him more and more…the more I’m like me :if that makes
any sense. Listening to Andrew Farley, Matt McMillen and You are where I want to be in
this grace awakening………Rip VanWinkle…………NO………….Bruce H.
Bruce, I’m so glad we’re in this grace awakening together and I’m glad you’ve been encouraged by my blog. Thank God! We’re super blessed to know what we know. ????