By: Carole L. Haines
I was struggling with condemning thoughts one day, brought on by the Opinion of another person. God brought to my mind the fact that He covers us with His very own PINIONS
4 He will cover you with His pinions,
And under His wings you may take refuge;
His faithfulness is a shield and wall. (Psalm 91:4 NASB)
If we are covered with His Pinions, why should we allow the O-pinions of others to penetrate our heart. Only God knows who we really are. Only God knows how to free us from the unkind words of others and our own self-condemnation. Pinions serve a very important purpose for birds.
Pinions refer specifically to the tip of a bird’s wing, where the primary flight feathers are located. These feathers are essential for the bird’s ability to fly, maneuver, and maintain balance. _(askdifferance.com)
There is a procedure known as “pinioning” that renders a bird flightless.
Pinioning is the act of surgically removing one pinion joint, the joint of a bird’s wing farthest from the body, to prevent flight. Pinioning is often done to waterfowl and poultry. It is not typically done to companion bird species such as parrots. This practice is unnecessary and restricted in many countries. (Wikipedia)
As I reflected on this fact, I sensed the Lord showing me just how detrimental it is to allow the opinions of others to affect us. It is equally damaging to rely on our own opinions. I sensed His prompting to come and hide under His pinions, His wings, His view of ourselves. Any other view can be misleading at best and downright disabling at worst.
Do we really want to be rendered as flightless birds in the Kingdom of God? Why are we allowing the negative opinions of the world, ourselves and the enemy to affect us so? Are we allowing ourselves to be O-pinioned into flightless lives? Let us cry out to God and come and hide beneath His wings, His pinions and immerse ourselves in His view of ourselves and each other.
No more shall we submit to the O-pinions of man, the O stands for others. We declare ourselves to be hidden beneath the shadow of God’s wings, flying high in His freedom, mercy and grace. May the Lord bless you with this thought today, He has certainly blessed me.
hisshadowings.com 