Many years ago, a relative repeatedly attacked my faith in Jesus. His words and criticism—bathed in cynicism—deeply hurt me. Although he passed away more than a decade ago, and I’ve forgiven him, there are still times I feel as if this relative is standing next to me—belittling me for following Jesus.
Indeed, one of the most difficult challenges I’ve faced in life is moving past his and others’ cutting words. Yet, as with every struggle in life, I’m often caught by surprise—in a beautiful way—at how Scripture meets us in the depths of our pain and offers us a path to freedom.
Most recently, I experienced this as I read through Isaiah 26 and was struck by the profound nature of verses 13 and 14, which read: “O Lord our God, others have ruled us, but you alone are the one we worship. Those we served before are dead and gone. Their departed spirits will never return! You attacked them and destroyed them, and they are long forgotten.”
One commentator notes that this passage is referencing “the principal enemies of the Jews, who had oppressed them, and were slain when Babylon was taken by Cyrus.” But our minds can also be filled with wounds we’ve received from others—leading us to experience emotional and spiritual captivity.
Rather than letting someone’s accusations and mean-spiritedness have control over us, we can experience victory when we to submit to God and worship Him alone. It’s comforting to know that even when others cause us pain, Jesus “will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in [Him]” (Isaiah 26:3 NIV). May we look to Him and trust in our “eternal Rock” who can help us withstand stinging words (Isaiah 26:4).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Samuel 10:1-27
More:
Read Psalm 147:3 and think about how God heals and helps us overcome our wounds.
Next:
How have you experienced emotional or spiritual captivity? How do God’s promises and presence encourage you to break free from the wounds of others?
Gary Shultz on March 24, 2017 at 5:38 am
Hi Roxanne: Knowing you from the pages of ODJ my heart goes out to you. You try to minister in ways that would be pleasing to our Lord, it’s hard to be pushed down by these thoughts. As we talked in these pages before, we can forgive, but to forget what is chiseled in the brain, is difficult work. Yes we must look to God in times of temptation, not necessarily to follow some desire, but to be overcome by evil footprints left by others. God included them in our life package, He also included what you have talked about, a strong hope, a strong faith. We need that to place the lid of His peace over the smoking ashes. I like do some brain re- channeling. When I start to have thoughts of a poor past, it becomes a red flag, I stop and move into another place of victory. Brain washing, I don’t think so, training, to become of better use even with skeletons in the closet. Life is an interesting journey, I like it better with God. Thanks Roxanne
minkjh on March 24, 2017 at 5:57 pm
Roxanne, after reading your opening paragraph my thoughts went right to John 16:33b. I encourage you to hide that verse in your heart for assurance. My late father experienced similar treatment from close relatives when he left a religion based on formalism, ritual and tradition to discover a true relationship with Jesus Christ. Like yourself, I still recall the ‘holy roller’ taunts of fifty-some years ago directed at him. Praying these words from John’s gospel will bring you closure.
street on March 25, 2017 at 12:34 am
Stinging words. there are no words as strong as the words Jesus and the Spirit speak in scripture. the words of man are unreliable at best. i am not surprised when people who don’t know the Lord are rebuilding what He tore down. i am amazed at the ones who claimed they know Him and are helping them.
hsnpoor on March 25, 2017 at 1:15 am
Roxanne, He can not only help us to withstand stinging words, He can help us sort and overcome them. In the light of God’s love, we can take those words to Him and ask/discover whether or not there is any truth we need to deal with. In my 63-years on earth, I’ve found that there is a reason that God lead Solomon to write Proverbs like 27:6 (wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses). Unchecked, we’re always right in out own eyes and it takes a true friend who is brave enough to tell us the truth about ourselves at times and we need to be the kind of people to hear and receive truth even when it’s hard to bear. If the words are true, it is in the light of God’s love that we can SAFELY acknowledge, receive and change for the better. If the words are not true, it is in that same place that we can become rubberized and have the confidence to rebuke the lies for what they are and be no worse for the wear. Notice, rebuke the lies, not the liar because that’s the Lord’s work and He’s so much better at it than we are.