Our Impression on Others

Are we aware of our impressions?

Are we true to our convictions or are we compromising them to maintain relationships?

Our impressions are constant, so let’s become more aware of them. Impressions are marks we are imparting to others; like imprints. Let’s take a moment to discuss the imprint we are leaving on others in speech, in writing and in our actions.

When leaving an impression on others, we are strongly influencing people, places and things.

Although, we may not be aware of this, this effect on others becomes recognizable. Our environment can be changed when we acknowledge how much we can impact others.

Although, we may ask “how can I possibly be able to do this?” The truth is that this is a Biblical promise for everyone who puts their trust in the Lord Jesus.

It is not because of who we are but who He is on the inside empowering us. 

We can become too caught up with what the environment is doing to us but the truth is we must determine by faith to walk out who we are on this earth.

We are now the light in darkness. We are bringing salt to the wounded. Light distinguishes the darkness.

If we are not careful we can be compromising our faith or perhaps even denying our faith because of the people around us. I encourage you to push through this and remain in the vine (Jesus) to gain the strength, wisdom and grace you need to walk by faith and not by sight.

Let’s not ever think or believe, we do not have value or worth because of someone else’s word or any situation we have walked through. Let’s be honest the impact of others can cause us to be affected but we make the choice if we remain there.

Rather it is God’s will and plan that through these moments, we keep our eyes on the Him. What an incredible example we read in:

“Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual.”

Daniel 3:19 niv

These men were thrown in a fire not one, two or three but seven times hotter than others would have experienced and yet they were safe in it.

Why? Because they did not throw away their faith but were willing to die for him as much as live for him.

This example of faith demonstrates that the world, people, places things do not hold us. They did not allow fear to stop them from believing but stood firm in faith and lived an incredible example to this day for each of us. The outcome lead the one who threw them in the fire to acknowledge God as almighty and no one greater than Him (God). 

Knowing we can be light in dark places should encourage us and propel us. As believers, we must remember we once walked in darkness too before the light of the Lord came in to our hearts by faith.

Another incredible example was when God began to write on the wall for the king and his people. How many right now may not recognize or acknowledge God is speaking to us too today as well?

When the king and the people saw this they knew this was supernatural and unexplainable and although they tried to use the ways they knew to get the interpretation, no one could explain it except for Daniel who walked in faith and remained constant in who He was in the Lord. 

“As the king watched the hand that was writing, his face grew pale and his thoughts so alarmed him that his hips gave way and his knees knocked together. The king summoned the enchanters, astrologers  and diviners. Then he said to these wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this writing and tells me what it means will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around his neck, and he will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.” Then all the king’s wise men came in, but they could not read the writing or tell the king what it meant. So King Belshazzar became even more terrified and his face grew more pale. His nobles were baffled. The queen,  hearing the voices of the king and his nobles, came into the banquet hall. “May the king live forever!” she said. “Don’t be alarmed! Don’t look so pale! There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him. In the time of your father he was found to have insight and intelligence and wisdom like that of the gods. Your father, King Nebuchadnezzar, appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners. He did this because Daniel, whom the king called Belteshazzar, was found to have a keen mind and knowledge and understanding, and also the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles and solve difficult problems. Call for Daniel, and he will tell you what the writing means.” Then Daniel answered the king, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means.” – Daniel 5:6-17 (NIV)

Daniel’s example inspired us today as believers. He had a relationship with Jesus, he took times in prayer at least three times a day; his constant fellowship with God lead to his favor.

Daniel was remembered because he impacted the queen with how he walked with God and you can do the same today.

You see, God causes not only favor in His sight but in the sight of others, too. He was not a casual Christian who really did not find it important to fight the good fight of faith. Rather, he knew the importance of spending time with God constantly.

Although, there was so much that could have impacted his faith and trust in God, Daniel made the decision to remain true to his faith and trust God at all times. Don’t get caught up with who is seeing you or acknowledging you either, but remember the most important to be recognized by is God, Himself. 

It is my prayer that we, too, would be inspired to push past the most trying times of our faith. We each are facing fiery tests in the times we are living in and our faith is being impacted.

Let’s make the decision to not be imprinted to remain discouraged, despondent or doubting. Rather, let’s grow in our faith and use these moments to run to Jesus not away from Him.

Let’s decide we will influence our circumstances by faith and bring inspiration and encouragement to others to remain in faith, too.

Let’s remember mustard seed faith is a great starting place. Do not throw away your confidence, God’s promise there is great rewards waiting for us as we trust Him. 

My question is who is being allowed to influence you? How is it affected you whether it was positive or negative? Another question is are you leaving an imprint wherever you go? You not always experience love or respect but you can make a difference wherever you are right now. It is important to live out our faith not only in the words we say, what we write but most importantly in the consistency in the ways we live.

Remember if you are ashamed of Him, Jesus said He would be ashamed of us when we have to stand before Him on the day of judgement.