Over the past month, I have been reading a book called "Creative Counterpart" by Linda Dillow. I bought it at MYC 2 years ago, but it's been left on my shelf collecting dust until now. It's a book for women on how to relate as godly women. I picked it up in preparation for this year's MYC & I highly recommend it to anyone who's interested. It is one of the best books for women which I have read so far.
I read one of the chapters today & it has really challenged me. It is entitled "Inherit a Blessing" & it addresses how to respond when we feel wronged, misjudged, hurt or angry. Specifically, it focuses on Christ as our example, as in 1 Peter:
1Pe 2:20-23 "For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly."
So often I read this passage & do not think seriously enough about what it means to continue entrusting myself to God. When I feel wronged, my first human response is to retailate. I am afraid of not being heard & of suffering in silence. If I don't say anything, how is the person ever going to know how I feel?
I am humbled & rebuked by this passage & the reminder of Christ's death for us. Christ was wronged, mistreated & undeservingly died on the cross for us. Yet, what was His response? It was not to hate or to retailate at those who mistreated Him (i.e. us), instead
Luk 23:33-34 "And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." And they cast lots to divide his garments."
Christ's love for us drove Him to the cross. I am here because Christ loves me, even though I don't deserve it. His love has made me realise what a sinner I am.
In the same way, when feeling misjudged & hurt, I should learn to entrust myself to God, to pray about the situation & know that God will bring about the change that is necessary in our lives. I am ashamed to say that I often find myself responding with words which are hurtful. Sometimes even not saying anything is the best response.
The book also caused me to reflect on my motivations for responding the right way. Having the right response is not about wanting the other person to change, but because it is part of being a Christian & living in obedience to God. It is not inward-focused, but other-person centered. This is what Christian love is about. I really pray that God will continue to teach me how this looks like.
I read one of the chapters today & it has really challenged me. It is entitled "Inherit a Blessing" & it addresses how to respond when we feel wronged, misjudged, hurt or angry. Specifically, it focuses on Christ as our example, as in 1 Peter:
1Pe 2:20-23 "For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly."
So often I read this passage & do not think seriously enough about what it means to continue entrusting myself to God. When I feel wronged, my first human response is to retailate. I am afraid of not being heard & of suffering in silence. If I don't say anything, how is the person ever going to know how I feel?
I am humbled & rebuked by this passage & the reminder of Christ's death for us. Christ was wronged, mistreated & undeservingly died on the cross for us. Yet, what was His response? It was not to hate or to retailate at those who mistreated Him (i.e. us), instead
Luk 23:33-34 "And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." And they cast lots to divide his garments."
Christ's love for us drove Him to the cross. I am here because Christ loves me, even though I don't deserve it. His love has made me realise what a sinner I am.
In the same way, when feeling misjudged & hurt, I should learn to entrust myself to God, to pray about the situation & know that God will bring about the change that is necessary in our lives. I am ashamed to say that I often find myself responding with words which are hurtful. Sometimes even not saying anything is the best response.
The book also caused me to reflect on my motivations for responding the right way. Having the right response is not about wanting the other person to change, but because it is part of being a Christian & living in obedience to God. It is not inward-focused, but other-person centered. This is what Christian love is about. I really pray that God will continue to teach me how this looks like.
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