Stop the Lies

That's a common phrase, isn't it? "Stop listening to the lies the world tells you". That's definitely a true statement. With all of those lies coming at us from every screen and magazine page, it's hard not to pause and wonder their validity in one's own life. For me personally I have struggled since middle school to find out who I actually am as opposed to who I am supposed to be (according to cultural standards). At this point, I am a junior in college, and I have come to see myself in a much better and more realistic light than I did in high school, but I still have problems discerning truth in my own mind.
 I have expectations for myself that are higher than what others have for me: I need to say the all the right things, to act in the perfect way, to be available and comforting to everyone, I cannot have any negative feelings towards anyone. Sure, all of those things are good attributes to have, they are just not going to happen in my fallen and sinful life. And all of these broken expectations play into the lies I hear and think constantly. And on occasion, it creates a perfect storm.
This storm happens sometimes, when I have had a bad day. Whether it's because I ate poorly, or my workout didn't go very well, or I had a negative interaction with a friend, or that I got a bad grade back, or that the guy I like isn't responding to me, I am just already having a low opinion of myself. And then one more thing lands on the pile, and it all tips over like a game of Jenga.
This last straw of sorts could be anything, but oftentimes it is something small that someone says. I know I can put up a good front of handling the brunt of someone's jokes, but I think everyone can admit that mean comments, even if they are just jokes, do impact a person negatively. Last night I was in someone's room and my friends were making fun of me, but it was translated in my warped brain like this: "Gosh Rachel why are you hanging out in our room all the time, why can't you just take this hint that we don't like you and want you out of our room because you annoy us so much." Crazy, huh?
It took a lot to convince myself that they really were just joking and that they have shown in other ways that they enjoy my company. But what am I saying all of this for, you ask? I have two challenges.
1) stop listening to the lies. Do your best to rationalize why they are lies and why you are above them in so many wonderful ways. Read Psalm 139 and you should feel better.
2) be cautious in your words. Joking is fun and all, but you never know when your "joking words" could be the last you say to that person. People who are in serious trouble (when it comes to viewing themselves as worthy of being on this planet) need a loving compliment as opposed to a jab in their side.
I am not saying that you can't ever tease me or tease your friends, because sometimes I actually feel loved when someone takes the time to tease me. I just entreat everyone to think about their actions and words and remember to outweigh the jokes with loving and caring sentiments. And remember that the only truth we can rely upon is that which comes from the Bible, the words of the God of the universe.