She twisted glory into shame, so I want to take control...
There she goes; that woman who so brutally mistreated me. Oh God, please help me. I’m so angry. And I’m shocked and confused. My actions were completely reasonable and would not have caused any other person to react as she did. I have searched myself and can find no reason for her to be so extremely offended by me. I have dug deep and do not see what wrong I have committed to warrant such hatred…and abuse. I guess, since I know she doesn’t believe in God, she is vulnerable to being led of the devil to do wicked and hurtful things.
Now, right when it all happened, the scripture God showed me the day before came flooding to my mind. Psalm 4. That day I wrote about my friend’s husband who had been struggling with an abusive boss and thought, at the time, that that scripture was meant for him. I guess it’s good God didn’t tell me I was going to need the scripture myself the next day. Ps 4: 2 says Oh ye sons/daughters of men, how long will you twist my glory into shame? How long will you love vanity, and seek after spreading lies? Selah. And this definitely applies to me. Oh man, the things she was saying about me!
But, although I’m more peaceful than yesterday, I’m still stinging from the hurt feelings, and still entertaining angry thoughts. I want to do something to make this better. I want to take control of things. So, I started searching scriptures for answers to what could I possibly do.
So, I thought, a-hah, maybe this is something I could do. I could strike back, but with kindness. I know, so very “Christian” of me. God gently scolded me, “Oh, Honey, that simply won’t work in this situation. The neighbour who attacked you thinks she was justified in what she did. She is a bully and an abuser. So any act of kindness on your part would be misunderstood by her. She would only feel further justified. To her, it would be a sign that you felt in the wrong and your gesture would be, to her, a kind of apology. It would only fuel her irrational anger further. It would actually do her more harm because she would never feel self-conviction for what she did and she would, therefore, never change. In fact, she would be rewarded for her bad behaviour and be more likely to repeat it, either on you again, or on another victim of her misplaced anger and hatred.”
So, God said, “Stop looking for something to do. Stick with what I already told you: Ps 5:11 Put your trust in me, and rejoice; because I defend you. Ps 4:4 Yes, be angry, you are right to be angry for how she treated you, but sin not. Examine your heart and repent for the bad thoughts you entertain. Ps 4:5 I know it’s hard, but be righteous. So offer this sacrifice of righteousness and put your trust in me. Remember, my child, Ps 5:12 I will bless the righteous; you will be surrounded by a shield, or force field, of favour. And don’t forget what I said before: Ps 3:8 Salvation belongs to Me: my blessing is upon my people. And you, my child, are mine! Selah!”
Thank you, God, for keeping me on your path. Thank you for guiding me. And protecting me. And comforting me. You alone are God and in you only will I place all my trust, O LORD. Amen. (You know, I’m feeling better already!)
Now, right when it all happened, the scripture God showed me the day before came flooding to my mind. Psalm 4. That day I wrote about my friend’s husband who had been struggling with an abusive boss and thought, at the time, that that scripture was meant for him. I guess it’s good God didn’t tell me I was going to need the scripture myself the next day. Ps 4: 2 says Oh ye sons/daughters of men, how long will you twist my glory into shame? How long will you love vanity, and seek after spreading lies? Selah. And this definitely applies to me. Oh man, the things she was saying about me!
But, although I’m more peaceful than yesterday, I’m still stinging from the hurt feelings, and still entertaining angry thoughts. I want to do something to make this better. I want to take control of things. So, I started searching scriptures for answers to what could I possibly do.
So, I thought, a-hah, maybe this is something I could do. I could strike back, but with kindness. I know, so very “Christian” of me. God gently scolded me, “Oh, Honey, that simply won’t work in this situation. The neighbour who attacked you thinks she was justified in what she did. She is a bully and an abuser. So any act of kindness on your part would be misunderstood by her. She would only feel further justified. To her, it would be a sign that you felt in the wrong and your gesture would be, to her, a kind of apology. It would only fuel her irrational anger further. It would actually do her more harm because she would never feel self-conviction for what she did and she would, therefore, never change. In fact, she would be rewarded for her bad behaviour and be more likely to repeat it, either on you again, or on another victim of her misplaced anger and hatred.”
So, God said, “Stop looking for something to do. Stick with what I already told you: Ps 5:11 Put your trust in me, and rejoice; because I defend you. Ps 4:4 Yes, be angry, you are right to be angry for how she treated you, but sin not. Examine your heart and repent for the bad thoughts you entertain. Ps 4:5 I know it’s hard, but be righteous. So offer this sacrifice of righteousness and put your trust in me. Remember, my child, Ps 5:12 I will bless the righteous; you will be surrounded by a shield, or force field, of favour. And don’t forget what I said before: Ps 3:8 Salvation belongs to Me: my blessing is upon my people. And you, my child, are mine! Selah!”
Thank you, God, for keeping me on your path. Thank you for guiding me. And protecting me. And comforting me. You alone are God and in you only will I place all my trust, O LORD. Amen. (You know, I’m feeling better already!)