I’m Choosing Which Labels I Accept

Going on this weight loss journey in such a public way has been amazing.

At at times, more of a challenge than I even realized.

You see, people tend to speak without thinking. At least that’s how I’m choosing to view the questionable things I’ve heard. I refuse to believe these things are meant maliciously.

Recently someone stopped me and shared that she’d been following my journey. She told me that she thought I was doing a good job. Then she looked at what I was wearing at the time and made a judgmental comment on my current choice.

I was speechless as she moved on. Immediately the voices of condemnation went wild in my head.

  • Why bother, you’ll always be fat.
  • You’ll never be able to wear cute clothes.
  • Everyone is just being nice, you really look horrible.

As the voices got more insistent, I heard a voice of love speak up. “Don’t listen, and don’t accept those labels.” The Spirit in my soul was reminding me that I had a choice about what I accepted as truth.

The world is always quick to apply labels to us. But just like in the world of manufacturing, it’s only the one who is the creator who has the right to define us. Our Creator does have labels for us:

  • Beautiful
  • Precious
  • Beloved

“The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.'” Ephesians 2:10

The world isn’t is kind, but our Father in Heaven is. We know the cruel things that are said to us do not come from the Father of Truth. So from now on,  I will be choosing very carefully which labels I apply to myself.

Published by

ediemelsonrbl2018

Edie Melson is a freelance writer and editor with years of experience in the publishing industry. She’s a prolific writer, and has a popular writing blog, The Write Conversation. In keeping up with the leading edge of al things digital, Edie has become known as one of the go-to experts on social media for writers wanting to learn how to plug in. Her first book, Social Media Marketing for Writers took less than a month to move into the best-seller category on Amazon. As a sought after writing instructor, her heart to help others define and reach their dreams has connected her with writers all over the country. She’s the co-director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, as well as a popular faculty member at numerous others. Edie is also the Social Media Coach for My Book Therapy. She’s a member of numerous professional writing organizations, including the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, The Christian Pen, The Christian Writer’s View I and American Christian Fiction Writers. She’s also a regular contributor on NovelRocket.com, a Writers Digest top 101 websites for writers, as well as a regular columnist in Southern Writers Magazine. Married 30+ years to her high school sweetheart, Kirk, they have raised three sons.

One thought on “I’m Choosing Which Labels I Accept”

  1. Good for you! I am so saddened that people feel they can say whatever they want. Good for you showing self control in the face of silliness.

    Reply

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