I saw a post on Facebook the other day that made me stop and think. It said, "A successful woman is one who can build a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at her."
I think what it was trying to say was that you shouldn't let the words or actions of others get you down or hold you back. Instead, use what you learn from the situation to become stronger and move forward.
Whether or not they are momentary acquaintances or someone close to you, people can be very hurtful. Sometimes the bricks (hurtful action or words) were not "thrown" on purpose and sometimes they were. The end result is still the same, it hurts.
Anyone who has ever had "bricks" thrown at them, knows the hurt and pain associated with it. Many of us react the same way...emotional or physical pain, tears, and questioning "why they would do that to us." For some people, the next reaction is anger or fear. You are angry at the person for the hurt or you are fearful that they might hurt you again. Sometimes, it's both.
Bricks are painful, of that there is no doubt. What we choose to do with the bricks, however, can either cause us more pain, or can pave the way to freedom from the pain.
Some people choose to "throw the bricks" back. Unfortunately, this can cause even more damage and can become an unending "brick" war. If you've seen couples in the midst of a messy breakup, you know what I mean.
Some people, although hurt, try to ignore the bricks. They may think it is safer not to respond or think that if they don't "think" about it, it can't hurt them.
Sometimes, whether out of fear or self-preservation, hurt people use the bricks to build a wall to keep themselves safe. The problem with this is, although they are building the wall between themselves and the "brick-thrower," the wall continues to be built until they are completely "walled off." What they think is their safe "fortress" has actually become a prison.
The better choice is to use the bricks to create a foundation and a pathway. When we stop and actually look at the bricks and the brick-thrower, we can learn things about both them and ourselves. We can stop and value who we are and realize that we are much more than the bricks thrown. We can make choices to either speak to the brick-thrower or to put distance between ourselves and them. We can build a stronger foundation and make changes within ourselves to know what we will and will not accept going forward.
There will always be "brick-throwers" in life and there will be times when we are hurt. What we choose to do with the bricks, is up to each one of us. And we do not have to "go it" alone. There is One who can help heal the hurts and can help with the laying of our new foundation. In Psalm 147:3, it says "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." In Psalm 27:5, it says, "For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his secret tent and set me high upon a rock." The Master Builder is always ready and waiting to help. We need only to ask.
Are you building a wall or are you building a foundation? One holds you back, one gives you strength.
You are much more than the bricks thrown. Choose to build a foundation today, then start creating a pathway. Who knows, it could become your own "yellow brick road" to all the good things ahead of you!
