We've been misunderstood many, many times. Most of us have.
You say something only for it to be misinterpreted or misunderstood. You do
something and the motive is questioned. We've personally been
misunderstood on our motives to be involved with foster care, move out of
state, be involved in ministry, how we raise our kids, our choice of
homeschooling, God's timing in our lives, our forms of communication, the strength of our marriage, finances, along with a lengthy list of others
over the years.
Many people will assume they know more about your life than you
do. They are looking from the outside, in. When others don't understand or want to know why you are doing what you're doing, they many times try to fit the limited pieces of information they have together to form a picture in their mind. They may feel they know better than you. They cannot comprehend what
it is you are doing, so they fill in the gaps with false information, and their
own limited knowledge of your life and history, in hopes of trying to figure it out and resolve it in their own minds.
True friends and family will really listen and try to make sense of what you are saying. If they don't understand, they will ask questions with a sincere heart. They will discover with you, they will pursue with you. They will take what you say to heart, and then support you in your endeavors, provided they are not contrary to God's Word. They can challenge you according to scripture, yes! but should not doubt and question you or your motives when you share what God has shown you, unless you are blatantly going against God's Word. Job's friends misunderstood his relationship with God, berated him, and tried to pull him down in his darkest times, telling him there was un-repented sin. Joseph's family misunderstood his dreams, refused to listen to him, and ended up selling him into slavery, which eventually is how they were saved from drought. David, a man after God's own heart, was highly misunderstood, so much so that they were trying to kill him. Jesus was misunderstood and it cost him his life in exchange for ours.
The world likes to offer worldly advice. When you are sure God is leading you somewhere, God is moving in your life, or God has spoken to you, no human on this earth has the power to say you are wrong, tell you you are going against God, or to stop you. You have the power of the living God on your side! He has spoken to you! He has given you direction! He is moving you and changing you! Be at peace and follow his lead no matter how long he takes to accomplish it.
Friends and family that cannot accept God's will for your life
will attempt to assume God's role to tell you what you're supposed to be doing,
that you are in error, or make you question God or His timing. This is the enemy at
work. There is someone there to sweet-talk you out of doing something God
is clearly telling you to do. Or to sweet-talk you into doing something you aren't supposed to do.
Either way, when God speaks clearly to us, it doesn't matter if man can
accept it or not. We trust and obey, whether we are misunderstood or not.
We stand strong in His strength (1 Corinthians 16:13). We should evaluate ourselves to be
sure we are in God's will (2 Corinthians 13:5-6), then, as the Penguins of Madagascar would say,
"Just smile and wave, boys. Smile and wave." Or as Jesus
would say, "Turn the other cheek." Matthew 5:38-40 says, "You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for
eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil
person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek
also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your
coat as well." This demonstrates compassion, not retaliation.
We are to let God have the vengeance and we are called to love. Not
be led astray, against God's will for our lives, but to love those people that
hurt us, misunderstand us, and cannot accept what God is doing in us, and forgive them.
Your true body of believers, the ones God chose for you to walk with on your Christian journey, will accept God's will for you, and encourage you. They will stand with you and help you on your journey, no matter how long it takes. They will pray for you and not belittle. They will encourage and not discourage. They will acknowledge God has spoken to you and help you get to your destination.
Don't worry. Your reputation belongs to God. He will restore you (1 Peter 5:10). He will fight for you (Exodus 14:14). You have only to listen, trust, and obey (Proverbs 3:5-6). He knows your hurt from misunderstandings and He's there to help you push through and walk forward. Your identity is in Him. When others see God working in your life, and what He did in and through you, you don't have to worry what the few will say. Your life will speak volumes to those who were blinded from seeing the light in you. Be faithful in your pursuits of Jesus.
