College Success Tip # 53 - Responding to Negative, Nasty Remarks from Professors & Peers
Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy. Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure.
Psalm 101:5
We can’t control what people say to us, but we can control how we respond. Although individuals will and can say vile, negative statements to us and about us, it is our responses to the negativity that have the potential to speak louder than the words against us.
Do you know who you are in Christ? Well if you don’t know God said you are:
“MORE THAN CONQUERORS THROUGH HIM WHO LOVED US.” – Romans 8:37
“FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE, by the wonderful works of God. Psalm 139:14
“YOU ARE FROM GOD AND HAVE OVERCOME THEM, BECAUSE THE ONE WHO IS IN YOU IS GREATER THAN THE ONE WHO IS IN THE WORLD.” 1 John 4:4
A person with a plan, “GOD KNOWS THE PLANS HE HAS FOR YOU, PLANS FOR WELFARE AND NOT FOR EVIL, TO GIVE YOU A FUTURE AND A HOPE.” Jeremiah 29:11
You are loved, cherished and promoted in Christ “GOD RAISES US UP WITH HIM AND SEATED US WITH HIM IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES IN CHRIST JESUS” – Ephesians 2:6
You are dynamic “YOU ARE CREATED IN THE VERY IMAGE OF GOD!” Genesis 1:27
If you know who you are and believe what God has declared over you knowing without a doubt that HIS WORDS ARE TRUE & UNCHANGEABLE The attacks and words from others should indeed be miniscule in your life.
The hurtful words hurt, but don’t allow the hurtful lies of others shape your belief in who God said you are! This is important because when one enters a college campus they are exposed to a lot of ideas, philosophies, beliefs, opinions, lifestyles, hidden curriculums, hidden rules and unspoken pressures.
When someone is living their life for Christ and that light is shining in a dark world, everyone can see it. You don’t even have to open your mouth. Someone radiating the light of Christ can sit in the corner not seeking to draw any attention to themselves but since that anointing light of God-honoring illumination is on you, you will be identified.
Sad to say, some individuals whether their peers or professors will clandestinely say things and do things to invoke responses from the Higher Education student as they seek to attack what is dear to them. This includes their relationship with God the Father, God the Son & God the Holy Spirit.
I can recall several situations during my Higher Education experience when I witnessed my peers and professors of different religions, backgrounds and ideologies voiced their religious beliefs not as an act of information for others but as an attack to students who believed in Jesus Christ. These peers and professors challenged me as well as the others Higher Education students to “dare to say anything to them” regarding their outbursts that were intended to harm others. I understand that everyone does not believe or believe in the same religion, practices or lifestyles, but disrespecting others is a NO. NO.
And that is where the issue lies when one blatantly, disrespectfully attacks a person and tries to make an example of them in a college classroom. For example a higher education student is enrolled in Basket weaving 202 for the Fall 2018 school year and Professor Round Reed jumps from addressing the fundamentals of Basket making to attacking someone negatively on purpose regarding their beliefs. That is a major issue and Higher Education students must believe who God is and how they matter to Him. My tip is for Higher Education students to hold your head up high and ask God for wisdom on how to handle the situation.
If the Lord says to pursue the conversation and correct the individual do so. If the LORD says to Not pursue the conversation of attack and he will correct the individual then do so. No matter how the LORD tells you to handle the situation do it, knowing that YOUR VINDICATOR LIVES & SEES EVERY ATTACK. Don’t be so quick to jump off and “set someone straight” allow God’s power to radiate in you as he contends those who contend with you.
Be encouraged today.
Peace & God Bless,
Aiming Towards the Target,
Dr. Bryant
