It's hard to do the right thing.

Our own heart, and not other men's opinion, forms our true honor.~ Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Sometimes it is hard to do the right thing. It would be so much easier to just ignore situations or things said. It would be so much easier to not become invested in people. Life would be easy if we were not faced with difficult choices or tasked with doing things that are not popular.

One thing I've always told people is that they can expect several things from me- I will be honest with them, I will be true to who I am and I care deeply for people. I do not give superficial words to make people feel better - they are genuine or they are not heard. I feel deeply but I trust carefully. If you have my trust you have a rare gift, if you break that trust it is not something that is gained back easily.

My character, my faith and my heart have recently been attacked because of my boldness to speak truth in a situation. It was not a choice that came lightly but one that had me arguing with Him because I didn't feel up for the battle that could potentially ensue. I had predicted disagreement and potential anger but I was not prepared for that to be coming most vehemently from a dear one who I considered a friend. I trusted this person and thought that they were one of the few that *knew* me. It would appear that things they said they appreciated about me were only superficial words. So now I'm left with peace of knowing that I was obedient to my heavenly Father but also wrestling with the crushing heart of being publicly maligned and flogged by one thought to be a friend. I know that the opinion of men isn't what matters but I can't help but be hurt. I stand by what I said and I will not argue the point of it with those that chose to tear me down or accuse me falsely. It is pointless. I was obedient and if suffering these consequences is the price I pay than I must come to terms with it.

Galatians, 6:9~ Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

2 Timothy 1:7-12 ~ 7For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.8So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, 9who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.

John 14:15-21 ~"If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— 17the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."