Building A Good Reputation
Thursday March 19, 2020
When we were living in addiction, we were not people who had a good reputation. In fact, even though we tried to hide our problems, we often sunk so deep into our addiction that our character and reputation were destroyed by our repeated poor choices. Dealing with a bad reputation is one of the most difficult things to face as we seek to live well in recovery with God.
God's word describes the value of a good reputation and has lots of helpful advice for us as we seek to rebuild ours. A good reputation and respect are worth much more than silver and gold. Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation. Always let others see you behaving properly, even though they may still accuse you of doing wrong. Then on the day of judgment, they will honor God by telling the good things they saw you do. (Proverbs 22:1 CEV, Proverbs 3:3-4 NLT, 1 Peter 2:12 CEV)
The list of good choices that are foundational to good character are clearly laid out in these Bible verses: be loyal; be kind; behave properly, do good. Rebuilding our reputation is about letting God remove our character defects and developing positive character qualities and being humble in the learning process. There is no mistake we have made that we cannot learn from. When we have blown other’s trust many times, it may take time for them to trust us again. However, when change is consistent over time, many of us have experienced that people do come around and respond with kindness. Jesus came to earth and laid down His perfectly good reputation to die a sinner’s death on the cross in order to give us forgiveness and life in recovery with God. He sacrificed everything for us. As tough as it is to rebuild our reputation, God has what it takes to help us do that.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Jesus came to earth and gave up His good reputation so I could have a new life. Help me to do the work, empowered by Your Spirit, to build character and be a person who finds favour with You and with others by the way I live. One choice at a time, help me to honour You with my thoughts, words, and actions. Amen
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