Misunderstood!

Why is it that no matter what you do, it ends up being misunderstood? Have you ever felt like that? So, what do you do in those situations? Do you find yourself sulking wishing people would understand your intentions? Or maybe you stand up for yourself and try to prove how your way is that right way. It might be that you choose to apologize hoping they will forgive you instantly.

The truth is that misunderstandings will happen from time to time. There is not much we can do about them.

Jesus lived his life with people misunderstanding him, including his own apostles. On some occasions he would try to teach them through those moments, but there were time when they still didn't understand. Jesus would leave it alone and let them understand on their own time.

Those who didn't know Jesus like the apostles didn't even get the teaching moments. Jesus would speak in parables and many would not understand what he was saying. While he explained it to his disciples, he did not always do the same for the crowds. They weren't at a place that they would understand. While Jesus would have loved for them to understand, he knew that trying to explain something to a crowd that expected an earthly king, would be futile discussion. And so he let the parables remain in their heads for something that would give them more understanding as they sought to know him more.

Still, many misunderstood him and his purpose on this earth and crucified him. They considered him a fraud. And Jesus submitted to this humiliation and shame. Of course it was all part of the plan that Jesus knew he must endure. But he did it because of love.

Certainly, we can let our way go when we are misunderstood. There is no rule written that says that everyone has to understand you at all time or even most of the time. It's ok. Let it go. Love the people who misunderstand you and be ready for a renewed relationship with you. And if they should never come to understand you and open up that relationship again, let it go. Remember, Jesus did the same. And it made the world a better place.

My thoughts on Psalm 63

I can't stand it when people lie.   More so, I can't stand it when people lie about me.    
How about you?  Do you ever feel that burning inside when someone is out to get you, and everything they are saying about you is a lie.  David felt that way.  As I said in the last entry, David has a way of knowing that God is in control and he finds comfort in His relationship with him.  Even in dark times like these.  Listen how he talks to God with boldness and confidence.
 
Psalm 64
 
 1 Hear me, my God, as I voice my complaint; 
   protect my life from the threat of the enemy.
 
 2 Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, 
   from the plots of evildoers. 
3 They sharpen their tongues like swords 
   and aim cruel words like deadly arrows. 
4 They shoot from ambush at the innocent; 
   they shoot suddenly, without fear.
 
 5 They encourage each other in evil plans, 
   they talk about hiding their snares; 
   they say, “Who will see it?” 
6 They plot injustice and say, 
   “We have devised a perfect plan!” 
   Surely the human mind and heart are cunning.
 
 7 But God will shoot them with his arrows; 
   they will suddenly be struck down. 
8 He will turn their own tongues against them 
   and bring them to ruin; 
   all who see them will shake their heads in scorn. 
9 All people will fear; 
   they will proclaim the works of God 
   and ponder what he has done.
 
 10 The righteous will rejoice in the LORD 
   and take refuge in him; 
   all the upright in heart will glory in him!  
-NIV
 
Isn't verses 7 and following great?  It's like the turning point of a movie when good begins to win.  You want to stand up and yell, YES!!! FINALLY!!!  It's the part where David visualizes a truth about God.  
He will not allow the evil to go unpunished.  
David pauses in the middle of the chaos and sees the ending of the story.  To often, I'm too ensnared by the moment and fail to see that God is with me and he sees the same thing I do.  Far too often I feel like I have to fight my own battles.  But I don't.  
God is our defender.  And David knows it.  
 
Lord, help me to be more like David.