I may be excused for being a little paranoid this week as I've had three episodes of different people venting at me over three separate things I know were not done in the spirit they were received.
Firstly it was taking something I said completely out of context, then a questioning of my motives and now someone believing I was judging them inappropriately. In my defense I must say that all three incidents were unprovoked and taken in ways totally opposite of what I intended.
However it has been a good lesson in tolerance, patience and remaining calm in the midst of tumoil. I can't say I handled every situation the same, the first I took far too personally as even though it was meant as a personal attack it was really someone venting frustration and I was in the firing line. The second again was someone who has no control of their situation and was looking for someone else to blame and the third is someone feeling guilty and looking for a way to justifiy their behaviour.
As a christian I don't always react the way I might like and in the first situation I must admit I didn't handle it well. However I did apologise for my response and let God show me that personal distress is often vented at those nearby. The second and third I handled much better, measuring my responses and thinking through how I should handle the situation.
Being wrongly accused of ulterior motives is never pleasant especially when you didn't have any but just like Christ was accused and spat on so shall we be. Remembering that Jesus was perfect and yet was still berated and misunderstood should relieve our hurt, for we are no where near perfect but as we stand for Christ we can expect no better treatment.
When we are sure of who we are, we can remind ourselves that God's opinion of us is the only one that matters, we then stand surer. Checking our motives and making sure that the allegations actually have no truth is an important part of growth. Realising that others may not have had many positive experiences and always assume the worst is also helpful.
It doesn't really matter who confronts you, Satan is the accuser, it is he who wants us to doubt ourselves, berate ourselves or even worse take offense. If we do then he has won.
So I brush myself off, learn from my mistakes, accept criticism where it is due and continue on with my journey. I don't stop trying, I don't say "well I'm never going to try and help again", I'm not going to get bitter or bent out of shape. That is what Satan wants and I will not give him that satisfaction. I know I'm not perfect, I know I make mistakes but I know my motives and I stand by them.
Now I feel better, sometimes putting it in words helps us get perspective and that is what this blog is about. Now how am I going to bless someone tomorrow?
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