The biggest lesson I learned in the past five years was not to make any decision when you are vulnerable. I was trapped in a toxic friendship for two years, and it crashed my life just because of untrustworthy, unreliable, malicious stories told to many people. I was devastated and losing many friends. But I didn’t want to say anything. Those lies I heard turned my life around into something meaningful, because when I got out of that relationship, I was able to find my focus and purpose in life. And for two years, I have been content with who I am and have achieved many things, with many blessings under the quiet protection from God.
Those years shaped me with more discernment, selecting the right people to connect with. I no longer chase validation, relationships, or try to communicate with people who don’t want to be connected. I began seeking the source of wisdom—that source of wisdom I found through my daily devotion. I return to my creator. A creator who meant to create His people in His own image and made a good creation. All His words built strength instead of crushing me. Without realizing it, through my daily reliance on Him, I built a strong sense of who I am — and a deeper awareness of protection from God.
"Why do I need to know how valuable I am? It is to prevent myself from being crushed by the world."
Especially by the words that came from the unwise, immature, and selfish person. Knowing who I am made me take the brave decision to quit my job and start creating a meaningful future. My life does not depend on what people say about me or the trash they throw at me.
There are so many wounds that people carry. Those wounds are not from sickness or accidents, but many of them come from words thrown at them. This year alone, some words were sharp enough to bleed. Criticism that came from people who didn’t even know the whole story. Rude comments meant to belittle. Unfair accusations. Tones that made me feel small.
Those words can hit harder than fists. Sometimes they linger longer than bruises. From my experience, I learn to speak only when needed and not to say anything when I am angry. Because I know I will regret what comes out of my mouth, which can destroy other people.
Sometimes I just stand in front of the mirror, looking at my own reflection, and I ask God, “Why do I have to endure this?” “Why do people speak carelessly?” And gently, He reminded me: “Their words don’t define you — Mine do.” That changed everything. Knowing that their words don’t define me, I realized that:
- Their insecurity is not my identity
- Their rudeness is not my responsibility
- Their loudness doesn’t diminish my calling
- Their opinions don’t alter God’s plan for me
God has been protecting me even in the conversations where I stayed silent. He shielded my heart when my mind wanted to break through protection from God. He taught me that I don’t have to clap back to prove my strength. I just have to stay aligned with who He says I am.
The miracle wasn’t that the attacks stopped. The miracle was that they didn’t destroy me. I am still standing. Still growing. Still chosen. Still called. And honestly — that’s the biggest clapback.
