Misunderstood
By Lexi Cole Ellis
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.Ephesians 4:31 (ESV)
Recently, I watched a fascinating documentary chronicling the seven days following Princess Diana’s shocking death. [1]
It’s known that Queen Elizabeth often puts duty to the crown above all else. After Diana’s unexpected death, the queen’s days of media silence were interpreted as heartless and a slap to the family. But one member of Queen Elizabeth’s staff said that, in fact, the opposite was true and her silence was completely misunderstood. Instead of focusing on comforting her people (the public), the Queen forwent this duty and chose to remain focused on her grieving grandsons.
This made me think of Joseph in the Old Testament. Wrongly accused of sin, he actually took a stand against wrong. And for this, he was unfairly imprisoned. Surely, he must have had a similar feeling of being misunderstood by others. He was left and forgotten by others - - not just for a moment - - or even a week - - but for YEARS! [2]
Even though he knew that the misunderstanding was unjust, Joseph didn’t sit and turn to bitterness. Instead he allowed himself to be used by God, and he was eventually put in a position of trust again. “But the Lord was with him [Joseph] and caused everything he did to succeed” (Gen. 39:23, NLT).
Whether it be the big, unjust misunderstandings or the smaller moments where one is misunderstood in a conversation or situation, it’s easy to become the victim and allow bitterness to grow. Regardless of the circumstances, we need to recognize that it’s less about dwelling on how unfair the misunderstanding is, and instead we need to choose to focus on the work that God is doing in our lives and in others.
And so I need to ask myself...
Am I allowing Him to use me despite my circumstances?
Is my attitude getting in the way of the work He wants to reveal in my life?
We aren’t called to be complicit or doormats that are taken advantage of, but we are called to be gracious and moldable by God, despite what happens to us...fair or unfair. When we are receptive to His teaching and trust in His faithfulness, God is in the business of taking moments where we’re misunderstood and using those moments for His Glory.
GOING DEEPER:1. What is your first response when you feel misunderstood? What needs to change so your heart is moldable to God’s teaching in times of misunderstanding?
FURTHER READING:
Lexi and her husband, Andrew, have an adorable dog named Calvin and love to travel. Lexi teaches sixth grade Reading and Writing. She serves with Children’s Ministries and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.
[1] Diana: 7 Days that Shook the World. Netflix. Director: Ben Ryder, 2017.
[2] Genesis 39
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Tuesday, September 26, 2017
