I felt so misunderstood.
I had retraced my words. Evaluated my intentions and searched my heart. I had begged Jesus that if there was any wicked way in me, he would bring it to light and lead me to repentance.
Now even with the best of intentions, plenty of times I have been wrong to the core. But this one particular instance – even though it didn’t earn me a seat at the popular “lunch table” – I felt like I had rightly stood up for truth.
And I had paid the price.
I remember telling my husband that I wanted to stand up on a podium and validate my case to the world. I would make them understand that they had it all wrong, and my reputation would quickly be restored to its rightful place.
And he sweetly told me to close my mouth and to suffer well.
Look, I want to be bold for God. I really do. And there will be times when he calls me to stand on that “podium” and shout his name from the rooftops without holding back.
Oh God, help me not to miss it.
But sometimes being bold means not retaliating, even when we’re in the right. Sometimes it means submitting, even when life doesn’t seem all that fair. And as much as you and I don’t want to hear this – some days we’ll suffer unjustly, and the right thing to do will be to close our mouths and to humbly take it.
_______________________
I had fallen asleep with my Bible on my lap more nights in a row than I could count. Suffering has a funny way of making me run harder – cling more desperately – to such rich, live-giving Truth.
When I woke – my heart still heavily burdened – I looked down on the wrinkled pages and poured over those beautiful, humbling words again…
When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
And hard tears fell onto the pages.
He could have fought back, proving his innocence.
He could have claimed all authority by making his power and presence known.
He could have called for twelve legions of angels to come to his rescue at any moment.
But instead he remained misunderstood, even to death, because he trusted that his Father would make things right in the end.
“The sufferings of Christ should quiet us under the most unjust and cruel sufferings we meet with in the world. He suffered voluntarily, not for himself, but for us, with the utmost readiness, with perfect patience, from all quarters, and all this though he was God-man. Shall not we sinners, who deserve the worst, submit to the light afflictions of this life, which work for us unspeakable advantages afterwards?” ~ Matthew Henry
Feeling misunderstood? Look to the cross, and represent well the One who died in your place.
And if you must speak, boldly claim your victory…
Hallelujah, all I have is Christ.
Hallelujah, Jesus is my life.
And let that be enough.
At His feet,
*LET’S TALK: Where do you need to suffer well today by not fighting back?
Sweet Whitney,
You will never know to what extreme this has helped me today! Thank you my sister in Christ! Xo
Christine,
It was such a beautiful message from Whitney! I’m so glad that she spoke to each of our hearts today. We can rest and find protection in the shadow of God’s wings, trusting that He will defend us and fight our battles!
~Terria
Thank you for breaking my heart! I have such a hard time with this. I KNOW what Jesus did for me on the cross and if I had been the only sinner in the world, He still would’ve suffered such a horrific death.
But the minute I see something happening with another person, I rush to defend them. I do the same thing for ME. This scripture spoke me almost like Peter KNEW me and was standing here in the room getting on to me!
I have a serious problem with gay marriage and right now the state of Alabama has stopped by declaring the sates definition of marriage. I have been VERY OUTSPOKEN about this topic…when I shouldn’t have been.
I don’t really feel misunderstood, I feel like Christians are being pushed and overtaken by all the evil in the world.
Thank you for the post!
Beth,
There are so many issues in this broken fallen world that go against God’s Word. That’s why it is so important for us to stay very close to God, in His Word and through meditation and prayer, in order to know specifically how to respond in each and every instance. In some instances, the Lord may require us to speak truth and mercy to the lost. While in others, He may require us to display a quiet demonstration of Christ’s love. Still in others, He may require our boldness of Spirit. But like Whitney so beautifully stated today, we will only know if we remain close to Him and listen to His direction. We must always remember that our goal is to bring people to intimate relationship with Christ…to meet them where they are, to reflect Christ with truth and love and to show them their need for Him. It is easy to forget the goal when you are the midst of spiritual battle…which you are in right now. I feel for you, because I know how hard it must be for you to watch Christians avoid taking their rightful stand against the things that go against God. It’s as if someone is disrespecting and mocking your very own Father in your face. I will be praying for your patience, endurance, perseverance, and acute discernment as you stand in the midst of battle. But take solace in knowing that there is no battle too small, too insignificant, or too overwhelming for God! God will have the last say, the final word, and the ultimate judgment! Thank you so much for sharing! <3
Of all topics I have do doubt God put it for me today. I have had the most severe cases of being misunderstood and and the most uncomfortable of situations IN YEARS this past week and yesterday. I have felt the most overwhelmed and helpless than I have been in a long time. The Lord just showed me what you stated…He wants me to be CLOSER to HIM and dependent on Him alone. Thank you so much for these!!
Oh, Shelly – what a wonderful, if hard to hear, message from the Lord for you today. Praying for you as you seek after Him!
Blessings, Amy A (LGG Encourager)
While reading your words Whitney what came to my mind is all the Christians awaiting their horrific death of being beheaded. We’ve seen the pictures everywhere. Some of the comments have suggested that they should have fought back or at least tried to escape somehow. Maybe they did who knows but they were either overcome or just surrendered. The pictures as evil as they are paint a picture of acceptance and quietness. No need for words or actions. Maybe even peace. Knowing the crown they will receive shortly by their heavenly King who they will greet soon. Beautiful words to them spoken by their Savior. As they realize they are the ones spoken of in the bible being persecuted for their faith. He will direct our steps we just need to be listening for His voice and obey. There were times He spoke and times He was quiet. We must follow His example.
Catherine, Well said. What is right is always against what our human side wants. Thank you for stopping by.
Blessings, Amy A (LGG Encourager)
Oh man, you know how to get God´s Word straight to my heart Whitney. This urge we humans have to fight back has to be repetitively put at the feet of the Cross. Thank you for this reminder. Love you girl!! 😀
Yes Edurne! Ditto! Love you! <3
~Terria
It is as if Whitney was speaking for me. The very words and tears have fallen out of me . Whitney,what you have shared has brought strength to my stand with God. IF, in my life, I feel one eighth of the humility,pain,and hate that Jesus did….For Him, and with Him I will walk with trust, faith and peace
Julie,
What a joy that Whitney and LGG was able to speak directly to your heart and to your circumstances! <3 I'm so glad that you are willing to surrender and endure the sacrifice and suffering in the name of Jesus! Blessings!
~Terria
Whitney, there is an exquisite truth in the exhortation about suffering well with a closed mouth. Quietness is heart-rending, and anything that rends the heart also opens it to His beautiful truth. Thank you for putting into words what
we so badly need to hear in this world of
instant words and broadcast opinions. I want to learn His quietness. I want to use quiet as a bold statement for His name sake.
Oh Maureen, What a beautiful desire…to use quietness as a bold statement for His namesake. That very act will demonstrate to everyone watching just Whose you are and Who you belong to. Thank you for sharing!
~Terria
This scripture has blessed me so much. In the midst of the battle with my sisters I have had to stand and be quiet in the midst of all the lies and the horrible things that have been spoken against me. But in everything that I have had to endure I have seen Christ go before me and have walked in victory and joy. It has hurt more than words can say when others insult you and say all manner of evil against you but Praise God I have went to the restroom after the battle just to shout out loud Thank you Jesus, you are awesome and mighty. Praise your Holy Name for the victory. I do not want to boast or gloat over the victory but want to lift up His holy Name so He receives the glory, honor and Praise. I want to praise Him for keeping my lips sealed and my heart of brokenness to be humble unto Him and to love the Lord who never leaves me nor forsakes me. The one who goes before me and does not allow the enemy to triumph over me but always finds a way for me to surrender unto him and to Magnify His Holy Name.