Proverbs 27:21 (NKJV) The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, and a man is valued by what others say of him.
It is your public reputation that is often the deciding factor that opens or shuts doors for you.
You can be the most honest, sincere, and godly person in the world and still have trouble opening doors of opportunity and advancement—all because the tide of public opinion is pulling against you. 
On one hand you must not allow what other people think about you to become your master—making decisions based on what people are going to think and say about you. But on the other hand, taking into account how your actions will be perceived by others is a helpful discipline.
People with an “I-don’t-care-what-you-think” attitude are only hurting and limiting themselves. If you don’t care, there are plenty of people who do and opportunities to serve and make a difference will flow their way.
Today’s proverb reminds us that we are on trial every day in the crucible of public opinion. Public opinion is a hot and consuming fire—its flames can consume you or refine you; the choice is yours.
- The ONE THING for today: Beware of people’s opinion of you and without compromising your integrity, see to it that their opinion of you is as good as possible.
2 Samuel 3:36 (NKJV)
Now all the people took note of it, and it pleased them, since whatever the king did pleased all the people.
The ONE THING 