What You Need to Know When Your Motives are Misjudged
Sometimes I wonder if God only gave me 5 toes because He knew I’d constantly insert my foot in my mouth.
My mouth is always getting me in trouble — even when I am on my best behavior.
More than once over the last few weeks, I’ve said, “That’s not what I meant” and shaken my head in disbelief as someone misjudged my motives.
Why can’t we give one another the benefit of the doubt?
Why can’t we assume the best instead of imagine the worst?
Why are people so obstinate and easily offended?
Sigh.
Some days there is just not enough chocolate to soothe my crushed soul.
Maybe you can relate? If you’re bruised from a verbal bashing, I want to encourage you. God sees you. He understands your pain. Remember Christ came to rescue mankind, but faced rancor and ridicule instead.
When Your Motives are Misjudged Remember:
Truth is a shield to thwart temptation.
The firm foundation of God’s promises is unshakeable ground. Fear will flee as you stand on God’s promises.
“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.” (I Peter 2:22, NIV)
Calm speaks louder than cynicism.
Silence is the best response to sarcasm. Pray for wise words laced with grace.
“When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats…”
Surrender opens the door to salvation.
You can depend on your Savior to show up and stand in the gap for you every time. He is always your Advocate.
“…Instead, He entrusted himself to Him who judges justly.” (I Peter 2:23b)
This year, I want to stop fearing what people might say and find courage to pray:
Lord, have Your way in me.
Want to join me? To help you get started, I’m sharing a copy of My Pray Big Prayer Calendar with you. Sign up today as a member of the Wildfire Faith Community and grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library. Print out your copy and start each morning inviting God to strengthen your step and breathe fresh wind into your weary spirit.
As we stand on the promises in the quiet with surrendered hearts, our Defender will make a way for us. He is mightier than manipulative men.
Turn to your Maker when you feel misjudged by man.
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Sometimes I tell myself to just shut up and not say anything, but I’ve discovered that is not a good plan! We’re better off letting God take control. Thanks for the reminder, and happy new year to you, Lyli.
It’s so hard to stay quiet! Lord, help us choose wisely.
Thanks for your transparency and for sharing wise principles with us, friend. Silence, quiet spirits, and Holy Spirit control!
I am thankful for the Holy Spirit’s help! I can’t do this one on my own. I fail every time.
Ugh, that feeling of trying to explain motives and knowing that the hole is getting deeper with every sentence we dig.
I was just lamenting yesterday to a friend with whom I am reading James about the terror of the tongue.
Thanks, Lyli, for your transparent sharing.
I am studying James with a group of gals online right now, Michele. So convicting!
That’s one of the hardest situations to deal with gracefully. I’m so glad Jesus left us an example and fills us with His grace to respond rightly.
Me, too. I think about what He endured on the way to the cross, and I realize I have nothing to complain about. Seriously.
Me and my big mouth. Gets me in trouble ALL THE TIME. Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to you O Lord my Strength and my Redeemer. HELP!
I pray that verse often!!!!
I finally have started praying before events where I know I’ll be interacting with people. I did this at work a lot before meetings or phone calls with parents or other teachers. Now I need to incorporate praying before I say things to my husband since he gets the brunt of the unfiltered me.
Yes, that helps so much (although I still manage to mess up every once in a while even when I’m prayed up)
This e-mail was for me Lyli. I try too much to explain my motives, but God knows my heart.
I think I make it worse when I try to “explain.” So, I am trying to just pray for God to do that for me.
Sorry, I meant post.
‘Misjudged’. You have friends in arms at that party, Lyli. The only way to speak words “laced with grace” is through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Thank God for His gift!!! You know?
It can be so soul-crushing when our motives are misjudged. I’ve had this happen too and it devastated me. I was surprised how offended I was by it. Thanks for sharing these ways out, Lyli!
“Why can’t we assume the best instead of imagine the worst?” This is something, by God’s grace that I have been working on for a long time. It’s always better to assume the best. I learned that from Charlotte Mason in reading Volume 4 of her Home Education Series entitled Ourselves. So often, when we assume the worst and begin to worry, our fears are unfounded and we’ve misunderstood someone’s words or motives. Thanks for this timely article, Lyli! Blessings to you!
I’m reminded of Rita Springer’s song, “Defender”. I have to continually let God be the defender of my heart and I pray that He protects you from others hurtful judgements.
Great words of wisdom and comfort! I like the part about God standing in the gap.
Thanks for hosting!
Lyli, I love that whole passage from 1 Peter 2. I can still remember the first time I heard someone teach through those verses and how deeply they impacted me. I’ve never forgotten and return to them often. Your post was a sweet and powerful reminder of the truthfulness of Peter’s words. Blessings and thanks for hosting!
I love the whole epistle, Donna. It studied it in depth during a very difficult season, and I found such hope in its pages.