I recently had a situation at work where someone in a higher position made me feel inferior. It was several condescending comments with a half-hearted smirk and words that deflated me like a popped balloon. It wasn’t just me that this person “put down” (in my opinion) but made me question the value of my position within my company.
I knew better. I knew that I was there to do a job and I feel I add value to this area. Up to this day, they had valued my input and my efforts. I believe this person just had things that were more important to them that particular day, the issue we were dealing with was outside of the US and a little complicated and it had been going on for several months. It was a frustrating situation and I believe I fell into their line of fire on a rough day.
No matter the excuse, I felt defeated. But then I remembered this saying I had kept in my desk drawer for years!! It was from Eleanor Roosevelt: “Remember…no one can make you feel inferior without your permission.”
So I picked myself back up. Gave myself a swift kick in the butt and went about my day as I always do with trying to do the best job I can do. I can’t make someone like me or change their opinion or attitude at that particular moment. But I can decide how I will handle the way someone treats me and I can work hard and know that at the end of the day, I did the best doggone job that I could do.
If God wants to take me to another place where He believes I can add more value, then I will follow. Up until then, I will not let someone make me feel inferior!
If you are struggling with a similar situation, know that God made you in His image and He didn’t make junk! You are precious to Him and if others don’t see it, then turn your eyes upward and feel His smile looking down on you and His arms wide open for you to come running to Him.
Remember – no one can make you feel inferior without you letting them! And don’t you let them!
