Respect is Earned


"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12)


History has it that Paul first met Timothy when he was a teenager, and when he was in his early twenties he started accompanying Paul on some of his missionary trips. Eventually, Paul left him in charge of the church at Ephesus.


Timothy had the responsibility of solving certain tough problems in the church at Ephesus. Paul, who probably presumed that Timothy's youthfulness could potentially affect his confidence in discharging his ecclesiastical duties, added the statement above in his letter to encourage him to be bold.


The key lesson in this verse is that, in order to prevent people from looking down on you, let them look up to you. By focusing on being your best self and setting a good example with your life, people will have no option than to look up to you. By so doing, their low opinion of you will naturally dissipate. 


If you find yourself contending with people's opinion about you, don't focus on them. Instead, focus on yourself. As you rise above the bar by the grace of God, their perception will take care of itself.


Remain inspired!



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