The Character Assassination Comeback: Lessons from Heather Riggleman

When Heather Riggleman's writing career was threatened by character assassination, she found herself in a situation where the feathers of rumor and misconception were scattered far and wide. In a powerful analogy, her best friend described it as a slashed feather pillow, with the feathers catching the wind and landing in the hands of others.

"We can't go to every person and try to get those feathers back," Heather shared, "because otherwise, we end up becoming part of the problem."

The True Friends Who Remain

Amidst the storm of rumors and character attacks, Heather discovered who her true friends were – the ones who continued to read her blog, pray for her, and defend her without repeating the gossip.

"There's a big difference between someone coming to me and saying, 'Hey, this is what I heard. I feel so sorry for you,' and then they're saying one thing that comes out of one side of their mouth and then they're turning around and going to someone else," Heather explained.

"They were the ones who were still reading my blog, who were still praying for me, who were defending me. But at the same time, they weren't coming to me with the gossip."

Finding Peace in God's Perspective

After a year of grieving and letting go, Heather found peace in recognizing that her legacy and reputation ultimately rest in God's hands. She learned to let Him fight for her reputation and allow Him to be the path to her legacy.

"It's a matter of letting your legacy, of keeping your eyes on Christ and letting him fight for your reputation and letting him be that path to your legacy," Heather shared.

Through this experience, Heather discovered the importance of believing the best, hoping the best, and enduring through every circumstance with love – a powerful lesson for all believers in navigating life's challenges.

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Reflection Questions:

1. Have you experienced a time when your character or reputation was questioned or attacked? How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience?

2. Who are the true friends in your life who believe the best in you and support you through difficult times?

3. How can you cultivate a heart of compassion and understanding toward others, especially those dealing with health or personal challenges?

4. In what areas of your life do you need to let go and trust God's perspective and timing?