Public opinion is fragile.
Ask any public figure, pastor, politician or anyone over the age of 4 and they'll tell you that others' opinions of us can change in a heartbeat.
- One word perceived hurtful
- One missed compliment
- One slight disagreement
- One wrong look
- One forgotten comment
- One assertive move
- One bold statement
The opinion of people around us can change quickly.
I couldn't help but think of the fickleness of man's opinions as I read this Scripture the other day:
"With these words they scarcely restrained the crowds from sacrificing to them. Then some Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there and persuaded the crowds. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing he was dead" (Acts 14:18-19).
Paul and Barnabas were on top of the world. The people of Lystra wanted to offer sacrifices to them. They thought Paul and Barnabas were gods.
Until one move by someone else and public opinion changed. They were all the sudden off the throne and in the mud.
Not much has changed over the last 2,000 years or so.
Don't build your value on public opinion.
Don't let all you are or all you do rest on what someone else or other people think of you.
Chase what is right. Let what is right define who you are. Chase your dreams and call with reckless determination. Let God solidify you.
Public opinion is a fragile thing. God's love is persistent. 
Jonathan Pearson is the campus pastor at Cornerstone Community Church in Orangeburg, South Carolina. He is the co-creator of millennialleader.com and author of the new book Next Up: 8 Shifts Great Young Leaders Make. For more about Jonathan, go to jonp.me.
For the original article, visit pastors.com.
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