In my devotional Bible tonight I was reading about being the victim of injustice. It can test the very roots of your faith. Even David faced these unfair situations where he saw his enemies prosper while he suffered at their expense. I've been stuck in this spot for several years. Sometimes I wonder where I'm going... am I making any progress? And, yes, it seems so unfair that I've suffered so greatly while my enemies prosper... and they've never put forth any effort to do the right thing, while I've bent over backwards to do the right thing, even when it hurts.
David turned his focus to God in the face of this suffering... as I've been trying my hardest to do. I turn my face to God, but it's been hard to say that I've "focused on God"... yes, I've had the desire to focus on Him, but for the last few years, it's been more like I'm simply trying to keep my head turned in His direction... that's all the strength that I've had to do. No strength left over to REALLY focus on Him... I don't know if that makes much sense... everything has just seemed so blurry. (As I'm typing, this verse popped into my head: 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12) I feel so blinded and dull-minded. I'm so worn down from life. And I'm only 27.
What was the path David took to finding peace in the midst of injustice?
1) Trust in the Lord - We can trust God to use for our good anything that others intend as evil.
2) Do good - Whatever happens, despite the injustices we suffer, we are to choose the higher path that demonstrates God's Spirit within us.
3) Dwell in the land - Though we may feel like running away from conflict or trying to hide from challenges, doing so robs us of experiencing how God can provide a place of rest and safety (Ps. 4:8).
4) Delight yourself in the Lord - Rather than getting depressed about our tough situation, turning our thoughts to God's presence and singing his praise songs will lift our spirits.
5) Commit your way to the Lord - We can decide to follow God, regardless of what others do or say.
6) Be still before the Lord - We can afford a lifetime of patience, for we know that God will make things right. He is a just God who will one day rule and reign with complete fairness and impartiality.
1 Do not fret because of those who are evil
or be envious of those who do wrong;
2 for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.
Psalm 37:1-2
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**What do I need to do to learn to trust God more?**
What can I do that would involve me trusting God more?
*Start looking for another church and trust that this time it will be a place where I can truly rest in Him and focus on Him... trust that I can start over there and really dig into His truth... with people who I can finally really discuss God's word with.
*Start speaking boldly and straightforwardly with people again, asserting boundaries again, trusting that God will bless my efforts and restore my soul as I remain true to who I am... who He made me to be.
*Not be afraid to be my true, raw self around people again... not continually use this defense mechanism of crawling into a shell to shelter myself - that's really only an illusion anyhow - whether I crawl into my shell or not, people will still be the same people... why not be courageous and hold my ground? At least then, if I'm being pushed around and hurt, I'll still be being kind to myself by not rejecting who I am while it's happening. Trust that God will bless this.
*Not be so hard on myself, quit feeling like I have to be perfect. Trust that God loves me, imperfections and all and that that's enough to sustain me in any situation... God's acceptance of me. Be myself and rest in the fact that I'm an imperfect, flawed human being... and God loves me as I am.
David turned his focus to God in the face of this suffering... as I've been trying my hardest to do. I turn my face to God, but it's been hard to say that I've "focused on God"... yes, I've had the desire to focus on Him, but for the last few years, it's been more like I'm simply trying to keep my head turned in His direction... that's all the strength that I've had to do. No strength left over to REALLY focus on Him... I don't know if that makes much sense... everything has just seemed so blurry. (As I'm typing, this verse popped into my head: 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12) I feel so blinded and dull-minded. I'm so worn down from life. And I'm only 27.
What was the path David took to finding peace in the midst of injustice?
1) Trust in the Lord - We can trust God to use for our good anything that others intend as evil.
2) Do good - Whatever happens, despite the injustices we suffer, we are to choose the higher path that demonstrates God's Spirit within us.
3) Dwell in the land - Though we may feel like running away from conflict or trying to hide from challenges, doing so robs us of experiencing how God can provide a place of rest and safety (Ps. 4:8).
4) Delight yourself in the Lord - Rather than getting depressed about our tough situation, turning our thoughts to God's presence and singing his praise songs will lift our spirits.
5) Commit your way to the Lord - We can decide to follow God, regardless of what others do or say.
6) Be still before the Lord - We can afford a lifetime of patience, for we know that God will make things right. He is a just God who will one day rule and reign with complete fairness and impartiality.
1 Do not fret because of those who are evil
or be envious of those who do wrong;
2 for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.
Psalm 37:1-2
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
**What do I need to do to learn to trust God more?**
What can I do that would involve me trusting God more?
*Start looking for another church and trust that this time it will be a place where I can truly rest in Him and focus on Him... trust that I can start over there and really dig into His truth... with people who I can finally really discuss God's word with.
*Start speaking boldly and straightforwardly with people again, asserting boundaries again, trusting that God will bless my efforts and restore my soul as I remain true to who I am... who He made me to be.
*Not be afraid to be my true, raw self around people again... not continually use this defense mechanism of crawling into a shell to shelter myself - that's really only an illusion anyhow - whether I crawl into my shell or not, people will still be the same people... why not be courageous and hold my ground? At least then, if I'm being pushed around and hurt, I'll still be being kind to myself by not rejecting who I am while it's happening. Trust that God will bless this.
*Not be so hard on myself, quit feeling like I have to be perfect. Trust that God loves me, imperfections and all and that that's enough to sustain me in any situation... God's acceptance of me. Be myself and rest in the fact that I'm an imperfect, flawed human being... and God loves me as I am.
