Why Give Others So Much Power Over Our Lives?

A few weeks ago Dr. Lawrence Summers, President of Harvard, made several statements about why there are the lack of women in the hard sciences. He indicated that some prefer to rear children while others preferred non academic careers. He also indicated that nature or genetics might play some role but he hoped he was wrong.

The comments stirred a firestorm. One woman, Nancy Hopkins, a Ph. D. Who teaches biology at MIT, walked out lest she throw up because his words so upset her. Why, would a brilliant woman give that much power to the words of a man with whom she so strongly disagrees?

She ruminated and reconsidered what Summers said and allowed the words to eat away at her self confidence. She said, He shouldn't admit women to Harvard if he is going to announce when they come that, hey, we don't feel that you can make it to the top.

She is saying she should not have been admitted to Harvard.

Dr. Hopkins is obviously a very smart person. She graduated from Harvard in 1964 and currently teaches at one of the most prestigious universities in the world. MIT is known as a premier university in science, engineering and technology. Despite all these facts, Dr. Hopkins feels threatened; scared and unable to compete.

She is suffering from FEAR:

False
Evidence
Appearing
Real

Every fact ponts to the ability of Dr. Hopkins to compete with men. She competed and won over most males despite the advantages they had in technical subjects in the 50's and 60's yet it is not enough to keep her calm. She is still ruled by False Evidence not FACTS.

Anyone as nervous and unsure of her abilities can be sent into a nervous frenzy with any unkind word. In this case it happened to be Lawrence Summers but it could be almost anyone's utterance that could fan the flames already burning in Dr. Hopkins' mind.

I do not wish to be harsh about this lady or others like her. To the contrary, it is my desire to set them all free from the words and opinions of others. When we know who we are the comments of others will run off us like water off a duck's back. However, when we are unsure of ourselves or our abilities we are racked with anxiety and sadness or even depression.

No person can cause you to be anxious or depressed unless you give them the power to alter your thinking.

To whom do you give the power of life and death?

Today I have set before you death or life. CHOOSE LIFE! JE 31:31