Filter What You Hear
Everyone will give you their own advice.
Reference: “In the Lord I take refuge. How then can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain.” Psalm 11:1 NIV
Explore: I have recently become pregnant for the first time. The journey towards having a baby in the house, however, is not our first.
My foster daughter, who still lives with us, became pregnant at 19 and we are now the primary carers of her almost-three year old. While I haven’t experienced the feeling of being pregnant myself, I feel I have a fairly good heads up as I attended all of my daughter’s antenatal appointments, the birth and then have helped care for a baby.
I have still found my own journey fascinating though, and have enjoyed talking to other people who have gone through a similar situation.
The medical professionals I’ve engaged with have been incredibly helpful and all have given the same words of warning: “Everyone will give you their own advice. Just be mindful of what you take on.”
Application: It seems it’s human nature to share from our own experience. If I find someone going through something similar to what has happened in my own life, I can’t help but share in our unity.
I guess there are thousands of women who have been pregnant, and each has experienced something different, so it’s a little harder to know what will be similar in my journey.
This is true in our faith as well. There are thousands of people who have an experience of God. It may be different to yours but we still hear about it.
The Psalmist reminds us to stay firm in our trust and faith in God. While others have decided to go their own path, they may try to persuade you to follow.
We need to hear their advice, but stand firm in our own belief and experience. While some may say “flee”, may we remain firm in saying “in the Lord I take refuge.”
Prayer: Lord, other people’s advice can be helpful to see a different perspective, but may it not let me falter from my foundational beliefs of You. May I stand firmly in You each and every day. Amen.
What advice have you had to reject?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.