Which Ism Weighs You Down?

As I chatted with my brother, once more, the conversation turned to racism. In his case, he lamented the fact that it always seems to rear its ugly head when he least expected it; when he thought he was doing everything right. What makes it difficult is knowing the cause but assigning the blame to other factors. "Let's go back to the drawing board; let's rethink this idea; you seem angry when you're presenting." Frustration builds when you've seen similar tactics work for others and not for you; others don't have to go back to the drawing board or have their speech assessed. Instead, their ideas are accepted while they continue to thrive.

Racism, sexism, feminism, classism, ableism, anti-semitism - common issues today with the common theme of denigrating those they affect. As a black woman, I've dealt with a couple of these in my life. Racism is prevalent and comes up often in many conversations because it affects the professional and the personal. There's no denying racism though
many debate its existence. Its effects on those affected are myriad and pervasive: anger, outspokenness, bravery, passiveness, depression, insecurity, stress, sickness, imprisonment.  Sexism and feminism are also hot button items for me. In my West Indian culture, which is primarily patriarchal, women can get the short end of the stick. Walking around with these isms over your head can be debilitating, but it doesn't have to be.

But for me, I choose not to live as someone getting the short end of the stick and here's why:

I'm perfect - God created me perfectly; he looked at my brown skin, he looked at my femininity, He looked at my inner and outer parts, and He declared, "I was Good." Guess what? I believe Him. I praise Him because I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14); therefore, I walk through life like the wonder I am.

God's Righteousness - God is righteous and speaks and acts under the purity of His nature. Christians are called to live righteously based on our relationship with Him. Righteousness is the quality of being right or morally justifiable. God is always righteous and just; we humans often fail becoming like the Israelites: For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes (Romans 10:3,4 ESV).

Wisdom - God's word is a source of wisdom for dealing with isms. Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him, there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes (1 John 2:9-11 ESV) We can't hate our brothers and sisters and call ourselves children of God. But as a recipient of hate, we can see that those that hate us are not our brothers or sisters. So, we endure wisely, not passively. We become wise as serpents yet harmless as doves. We know that Greater is He that is in us, and we use the weapon of our faith to tear down walls of hate.

What it comes down to is doing the work on yourself, so you can impact those in your sphere one person at a time. It may not seem like you're making a difference, but you are. When you become weary, recharge in Him and keep going. No one can solve all the world's problems - that's God's assignment. Your assignment (Micah 6:8) is to walk through this world boldly, speak life, love wisely, while letting his fruit emanate in your life. Perhaps each of our lives can have ripple effects until strongholds in the form of isms are broken down, and all of these harmful teachings are untaught and replaced with God's love. But we have hope - it won't always be this way. In eternity, with Jesus, every ism will be eliminated. In the meantime, by God's grace, we're still here.

In righteousness, you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear;    and from terror, for it shall not come near you. No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord." Isaiah 54:14, 17

What ism bothers you the most? How do you deal with it? I challenge you to strengthen your relationship with God so you can rest in His promises as you navigate life's challenges.

Picture source: nappy.co

--Nylse

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