Woodpeckers are pecking at this tree. Are people pecking at you?
Have you been pecked at, insulted, belittled, and bullied?
This pecked up tree reminded me of the words of the Apostle Paul: “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10 ESV – highlight of “insults” is mine)
That verse is so encouraging to me—it actually says that my weakness = strength in Christ.
Weaknesses includes “insults.”
Just today I was accused of not sending a promised eBook when a man subscribed to my email list. In fact, it is sent automatically via email by AWeber’s email software when anyone subscribes. He either just deleted the email with the eBook attached, or it got lost in his spam folder or some other glitch.
But here’s the bottom line: being pecked at doesn’t matter, except as a good thing. Why? Because when we are weak we are strong in Christ Jesus! He has a purpose. He has strength for our weaknesses.
If we need a humbling, He will provide it, as with the Apostle Paul, as indicated in a larger section of this passage:
“So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10 ESV)
I hope you are encouraged by this video and passage when you are pecked at!
For more help with criticism, rejection, bullying and insults, check out these articles I have written on these subjects:
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