We Are A New Creation

So, I really thought that I really understood what forgiveness was about, and that I was able to accept the forgiveness that is given through Christ. Well, apparently, I still have some set backs to this. I let other people judge me way too easily. Not that I let them judge me, but its that I allow their judgement to control how I feel about myself. And of course, how I feel about myself is connected to my relationship with Christ. If you don't know me, I allow my feelings to control me at times. Anyways, I love the school that I go to, and I love the Christian environment that I have there. But at times, I feel very different. I feel like my past sometimes just turns others off. I never even realized that others could determine some of my past by just the way that I acted. This is something that I most definetely want to change. Another thing that I want to change is how I allow others to control how I feel. I know that I am forgiven. I dont need other people to tell me whether I am really forgiven or not. Paul said in 1 Corinthians that if anyone was in Christ, He was a new creation. My favorite part of that verse is where it says that the OLD is GONE and the NEW has COME! Exciting stuff to me! So, why is it so hard to allow the thoughts of others to control me? I can be myself without others thoughts of me effecting me. Most definetely something that I need to work on, though!