Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. Psalm 34:14
Over the years, when finding myself in misunderstandings with people, that the best route to take is to let each of us go our way in peace. This is especially true when we really do not know each other. It is very dangerous to try to diagnose someone, label them, and think I have the right to scrutinize their health or mental status; simply because they disagree with me. In caregiving over the years, I've found that I've been wrong many times, and learned the wisdom of keeping my mouth shut until I truly know the entire scope of the person's situation. Even then, it is best to do more praying than talking.
Several years ago, a pastor did this to me; and labeled me as being mentally challenged, because I sat in the back of his church, and did not attend every social gathering they had. I had recently lost my husband, my mother, my oldest brother and oldest sister within a short time. I had to sell our farm, and end our businesses. I had taken care of multiple people for many years, including my mother and husband. I could care less about going to church functions. Shallow people cannot be reasoned with.
So, I asked for and was given a written evaluation, and highly recommended by my former supervisor, whom I had worked under for many years. I sent a copy of this, and a short note of the losses I'd faced in recent years to the pastor, and several people in the church, who I associated with, who had told me what the pastor had said. This settled the issue. But, the damage was already done. The relationships were beyond repair.
In the years since this incident, there's been many other battles like this, and I've learned many difficult lessons from them, but, they were needed; it's taught me that whatever I've faced-Jesus has suffered the same in His life. As I read the gospels, the persecution, wicked assaults, and evil accusations came at him from every direction, his enemies were the religious self-righteous crowd, and they were merciless. Jesus understands, when no one else does.
In these kinds of situations; I have come to live with this conviction; If the misunderstanding cannot be reconciled, part in peace, and leave one another alone.
If someone is making false accusations, or diagnosing you when they have no right to, stay above it, rise above it, stay in your integrity, and then leave them, do not allow the poison of their tongues to defeat you.
Lorna Couillard
Several years ago, a pastor did this to me; and labeled me as being mentally challenged, because I sat in the back of his church, and did not attend every social gathering they had. I had recently lost my husband, my mother, my oldest brother and oldest sister within a short time. I had to sell our farm, and end our businesses. I had taken care of multiple people for many years, including my mother and husband. I could care less about going to church functions. Shallow people cannot be reasoned with.
So, I asked for and was given a written evaluation, and highly recommended by my former supervisor, whom I had worked under for many years. I sent a copy of this, and a short note of the losses I'd faced in recent years to the pastor, and several people in the church, who I associated with, who had told me what the pastor had said. This settled the issue. But, the damage was already done. The relationships were beyond repair.
In the years since this incident, there's been many other battles like this, and I've learned many difficult lessons from them, but, they were needed; it's taught me that whatever I've faced-Jesus has suffered the same in His life. As I read the gospels, the persecution, wicked assaults, and evil accusations came at him from every direction, his enemies were the religious self-righteous crowd, and they were merciless. Jesus understands, when no one else does.
In these kinds of situations; I have come to live with this conviction; If the misunderstanding cannot be reconciled, part in peace, and leave one another alone.
If someone is making false accusations, or diagnosing you when they have no right to, stay above it, rise above it, stay in your integrity, and then leave them, do not allow the poison of their tongues to defeat you.
Lorna Couillard
THE SALVATION OF THE CONTRITE
The gist of this exhortation is quoted by Peter in his first Epistle. We need not fret to defend ourselves or to answer false accusations. Let us refrain our lips, hold our peace, as Jesus did, and go on doing what is right and good. God will see to it that our needs are supplied, that our enemies are silenced, and that our soul is redeemed.
1Pe 3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
Do you feel unable to claim the designation of righteous? Remember that Paul was glad to reject his own, that he might be clad in Another’s righteousness. That still avails for us.
Php 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
We are not kept from trouble, but delivered out of it.
Psa 34:17 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
You do not recognize Him, but the Great Gardener passes by the plants that have braved the wind and storm to bend over you who are beaten to the earth.
Psa 34:20 He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.
Observe the present tenses in which the psalmist records God’s redeeming love. It never grows old.
Psa 34:22 The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.
F.B. Meyer devotional
1Pe 3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
Do you feel unable to claim the designation of righteous? Remember that Paul was glad to reject his own, that he might be clad in Another’s righteousness. That still avails for us.
Php 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
We are not kept from trouble, but delivered out of it.
Psa 34:17 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
You do not recognize Him, but the Great Gardener passes by the plants that have braved the wind and storm to bend over you who are beaten to the earth.
Psa 34:20 He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.
Observe the present tenses in which the psalmist records God’s redeeming love. It never grows old.
Psa 34:22 The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.
F.B. Meyer devotional
